Islamabad: The Islamabad International Airport (IIA), which is to become operational on May 3, can handle the largest existing passenger aircraft, Airbus A380, a news source quoted Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson Syed Aftab Gilani. It is to be noted that only a few airports in the world have runways capable of allowing the landing and take-off operations for the A380.
The transit facility’s initial capacity is around nine million passengers annually while it will ultimately facilitate 25 million passengers. The new airport also has three rapid-exit taxiways, so the planes will immediately leave the runway after landing. At Benazir Bhutto International Airport, large airplanes took five minutes to vacate the runway, causing delays in arrival and departure, and increased fuel consumption. The secondary runaway which allows aircrafts, like Boeing B777, to land, will be used in case of emergencies and will ensure efficient maintenance work as well.
The new airport has 33 aircraft stands (as compared to 11 in the old one), and these include 15 bays with modern passenger boarding bridge facilities. Pre-conditioned air and pop-up pits have also been provided at aircraft stands. The airport also has five aprons including an exclusive apron for parking three cargo aircrafts.
The airport has an LED airfield lighting system, which will greatly assist navigation during night and reduce electricity and maintenance cost. It is also environment-friendly since it conserves energy.
The primary runway is also equipped with Instrument Landing System (ILS) Category 3. In South Asia, only the international airports in Lahore and New Delhi have this system, with Islamabad International Airport being the third one. The system helps aircraft landing in 50-metre visibility during the foggy season.
The newly installed radar system provides better surveillance of planes up to 250 nautical miles. The airport also has the latest air traffic management systems and facilities which include 45 meter high ATC tower which will increase efficiency and safety.
There are two fire stations with entire arsenal of firefighting equipment including fire vehicles, fire tenders, 32,300 litres water, and 1,000kg foam among other things. All preparations have been made to meet International standard of response time for any emergency aircraft that land at or in the vicinity of the airport.
Finally, the new airport will accommodate 2,200 cars in parking and nine exit and entry points have been provided.
