Not a Bad Joke: New Islamabad Airport Delayed Yet Again

Inauguration of new Islamabad airport has been delayed, again. Senator Muhammad Talha Mehmood led the meeting of Senate Standing Committee, where he was told that the opening may face further delays.

Senator Talha Mehmood was not happy about the news and showed his frustration over the repeated delays in construction and inauguration. Senate no longer believes Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) claims that about 97% of work has been done.


Read More: Story of Incompetence – New Islamabad Airport Delayed Again


CAA also said that runways of the airports were ready to land a plane, however, Talha Mehmood says there is no sign of completion of the third runway which was reportedly completed.

Not the First Time

The launch date of the new airport has been deferred multiple times now. Initially, it was supposed to be operational two years ago. After multiple inauguration announcements and delays, it was announced that it will be inaugurated on 14th August 2017.

One of the reasons for the delay is the link road between Kashmir Highway and the new airport the, which is delayed till December 2017.

Regardless of that, CAA admitted to the senate committee that they cannot give them an exact date on when the airport will be inaugurated. They told committee that it may be in the end of December 2017 or beginning of January 2018.


Read More: Inauguration Of New Islamabad Airport Delayed Till December 2017


CAA had previously put blame on National Highway Authority (NHA) for the delay in inauguration, senator Mehmood told the media.

Senator has also called for DG and Secretary CAA to explain why they have been giving inaccurate information about project completion. Tehsil Municipal Administrator Fateh Jhang and Deputy Commissioners of Rawalpindi and Attock have also been summoned by the committee and report on the matter.

Moreover, the committee has decided to visit the new airport site and see the situation themselves.

Metro To Airport

New Islamabad Airport will be linked to Kashmir highway and GT road through Metro Bus System as well. The construction of this project is also underway.

Apprising the committee, officials said that to ensure in time construction, the metro project has been divided into four packages. Every package has its own contractor. The four packages are:

  • Peshawar Morr to NUST
  • NUST to GT Road
  • GT road to Motorway interchange
  • Motorway Interchange to New airport

Once all four parts are completed, travel time to the airport would be reduced to 40 minutes only.


  • The new Islamabad International Airport requires Nawas Sharif to be prime minister ,
    which is not currently possible :)

  • Why does Islamabad airport need three runways? Gatwick airport has 10 times more passengers running on just one runway.

  • Simply don’t understand why all these lame excuses being given, had it been a strict governance the persons involved in this should have been punished severely, this is waste of country’s money , also the personnel of Govt. involved should be brought to book and punished.


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