Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved the expansion of Lahore and Karachi airports under their respective master plans, directing officials in Islamabad to complete both projects on schedule and in line with international standards.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, the meeting on airport expansion and passenger facilitation reviewed the findings of a recent survey by an international firm that assessed the quality of passenger services at major airports. The prime minister said passenger convenience must remain the top priority at every airport in the country and that there would be no compromise on construction quality.
He also called for third-party validation of airport reforms, the hiring of internationally renowned organisations to improve services, regular training for staff who deal with passengers and better coordination between the agencies working at airports. On food, he made clear that only reputable caterers should be engaged.
Officials told the meeting that runway expansion at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport has been completed, and that the Civil Aviation Authority made 14 airports operational over the past year to support the resumption of domestic flights. Installation of automated border management E-Gates at major airports is moving quickly, and work is under way on an Air Cargo Village intended to turn Karachi into an air cargo hub.
Officials said a Meet and Greet service has been introduced at Islamabad airport, while the FIA has set up pre-departure guidance desks at major airports and increased staff and counters to cut waiting times for travellers.