Benazir Bhutto International Airport

Benazir Bhutto International Airport is a major airport located in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, and serves as a key hub for Pakistan International Airlines, Airblue, and Shaheen Air. The airport is named after the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in Rawalpindi in 2007. It is situated approximately 13 kilometres from the city center of Islamabad and is connected to major cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar through the M-2 motorway and N-5 National Highway. The airport is also close to the Golra Sharif Railway Station and the Pir Sohawa tourist spot.

● Introduction

The airport is a significant gateway to Pakistan and handles a large number of passengers and cargo every year, with flights operating to destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Jeddah. It is equipped with modern facilities, including a CAT III instrument landing system, which enables aircraft to land safely even in low-visibility conditions. The airport is also a hub for Pakistan Air Force and is used by the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force for logistics and transportation purposes. The airport's proximity to the Kashmir region and the Himalayas makes it an important location for search and rescue operations and humanitarian aid efforts, often involving organizations like the United Nations and the Red Cross.

● History

The airport was originally known as Islamabad International Airport and was inaugurated in 1930 as a small airfield, with the first flight operated by Imperial Airways. Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and renovations, with significant upgrades made in the 1960s and 1980s to accommodate increasing air traffic. In 2007, the airport was renamed Benazir Bhutto International Airport in honor of the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, who was assassinated in Rawalpindi while campaigning for the Pakistan Peoples Party in the 2008 Pakistani general election. The airport has also been used as a hub for relief efforts during natural disasters like the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Pakistan floods, with organizations like the World Food Programme and the UNICEF operating from the airport.

● Facilities

The airport has a range of facilities, including a VIP lounge and a business class lounge, which offer amenities like free Wi-Fi, food and beverage services, and shower facilities. The airport also has a duty-free shop and a currency exchange office, as well as a medical center and a prayer room. The airport's cargo terminal is equipped with modern facilities, including a cold storage unit and a warehousing facility, and is used by companies like DHL and FedEx for logistics and transportation purposes. The airport is also connected to the Islamabad Stock Exchange and the Karachi Stock Exchange through a dedicated fiber optic link, enabling fast and secure data transmission.

● Airlines and Destinations

The airport is served by a number of airlines, including Pakistan International Airlines, Airblue, Shaheen Air, and Emirates, which operate flights to destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Jeddah. The airport is also a hub for China Southern Airlines and Turkish Airlines, which operate flights to destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, and Istanbul. Other airlines that operate from the airport include Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Gulf Air, which offer flights to destinations like Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain. The airport is also used by charter airlines like Air Arabia and Flydubai, which operate flights to destinations like Sharjah and Dubai.

● Incidents and Accidents

The airport has experienced a number of incidents and accidents over the years, including a hijacking incident in 1998 involving a Pakistan International Airlines flight, which was hijacked by a group of militants and taken to Kandahar, Afghanistan. In 2011, a Pakistan International Airlines flight crashed while attempting to land at the airport, resulting in the loss of all lives on board. The airport has also been the target of terrorist attacks, including a suicide bombing in 2015 that killed several people and injured many more. The airport is equipped with modern security systems, including CCTV cameras and metal detectors, and is guarded by the Pakistan Air Force and the Federal Investigation Agency.

● Renovation and Expansion

The airport is currently undergoing a major renovation and expansion project, which includes the construction of a new terminal building and the upgrading of the airport's runway and taxiway systems. The project is being carried out by a consortium of companies, including China State Construction Engineering Corporation and Habib Rafiq Limited, and is expected to be completed by 2025. The new terminal building will have a capacity to handle 15 million passengers per year and will feature modern facilities, including a CAT III instrument landing system and a baggage handling system. The airport's expansion is expected to boost the local economy and increase tourism in the region, with destinations like Naran, Hunza, and Skardu expected to benefit from the increased air connectivity. The project is being supported by organizations like the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, which are providing financial assistance and technical expertise to the Government of Pakistan.