Benazir Bhutto International Airport

Benazir Bhutto International Airport (Urdu: بینظیر بھٹو ایئر بیس‎, ICAO: OPRN) is a defunct airport which formerly served the Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area. It was the second-largest airport by air traffic in Pakistan, until 3 May 2018 when it was replaced by the new Islamabad International Airport. Previously also known as Islamabad International Airport, it was renamed after the late Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto in June 2008.[1] The airport handled 4,767,860 passengers between 2015–16,[2] compared to 3,803,060 in 2012-13.[3]

For the main public airport serving Islamabad, see Islamabad International Airport.
"OPRN" redirects here. For the airbase currently using the ICAO code OPRN, see PAF Base Nur Khan.

Benazir Bhutto International Airport


بینظیر بھٹو بین الاقوامی ہوائی اڈے
Summary
OwnerPakistan Air Force
OperatorPakistan Civil Aviation Authority
ServesIslamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area
LocationChaklala, Rawalpindi
Opened1930 as RAF Chaklala
Passenger services ceasedMay 3, 2018 (2018-05-03)
Elevation AMSL508 m / 1,667 ft
Coordinates33°36′59″N 073°05′57″E
Map
OPRN
Location of airport in Rawalpindi Pakistan
OPRN
OPRN (Pakistan)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
12/30 3,292 10,801 Asphalt

The airport was located in the area of Chaklala in Rawalpindi, which neighbours Islamabad. Following the establishment of the new Islamabad International Airport, the airport is no longer used for civil aviation and now forms a part of the adjoining PAF Base Nur Khan (also known as PAF Base Chaklala).

History and statistics

In the fiscal year 2008–2009, over 3,136,664 passengers used the former Benazir Bhutto International Airport and 34,025 aircraft movements were registered.[4] The airport served as a hub for the flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines. It was also the hub of Shaheen Air and a focus city of Airblue.

The government launched a Rs. 399 million project to renovate and expand the airport including the 518 by 23 m (1,700 by 75 ft) taxi way link adjacent to the lone runway of the airport.[5] The renovation was completed by March, 2015.[6]

The last flight to depart from this airport was PK791 operated by Pakistan International Airlines, heading for Birmingham, UK which departed at 11:39 AM PST marking the end of scheduled commercial flights to the airport.

New airport

A new airport was constructed in Fateh Jang, Attock District, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of the twin cities. It was built to replace the existing Benazir Bhutto International Airport in response to increasing air traffic and passenger load. It is now completed, and has become the first greenfield airport in Pakistan and the first to support the landing of Airbus A380. Built on an area of 3,289 acres, the project consisted of 90 check-in counters and a parking facility for 2,000 vehicles and will cater to an upward of 10 million people every year in its first phase and up to 25 million in the second phase. The terminal includes 15 gates with ten remote gates, a four-star hotel, duty-free shops, two runways, six taxiways, a food court and 42 immigration counters. The airport is connected to Islamabad via the Kashmir Highway and Rawalpindi via the GT Road. The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus is also being expanded to connect the airport with the metropolitan area. The airport was opened for commercial flight operations on 3 May 2018.[7]

Facilities

Benazir Bhutto International Airport was a civil and military airport which handled VIPs as well as public scheduled operations for many airlines. Foreign diplomats, high level government officials, as well as military officials were welcomed at this airport.

The airport was only able to handle eleven wide body aircraft at one time, with an additional five parking places for general aviation aircraft. It could not accommodate large aircraft such as the Airbus A380 or the Boeing 747-8. This airport did not have any air bridges installed, so buses took the passengers from the airport terminal to the aircraft where air stairs were used.

Current status

Since the airport was built on an airbase, the Pakistan Air Force has taken ownership of the apron and old terminal building of the airfield in a similar fashion to when Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport moved its terminals.

The runway is expected to remain in use by the PAF in the near future and VIPs and other dignitaries will continue to use the airbase instead of Islamabad International Airport.

General aviation by private companies is also expected to continue to use this airport instead of the new Islamabad International Airport.

Accidents and incidents
The US Air Force was a regular visitor to the airport, providing relief goods for the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, photographed 2005
Pakistan International Airlines aircraft in the retro livery.
China Southern Airlines Boeing taxiing to the runway.
PIA Fleet as seen from waiting lounge
  • On 28 July 2010, Airblue Flight 202, a domestic flight from Karachi operated by Airbus A321 AP-BJB, crashed into the Margalla Hills in Islamabad while trying to land at the airport. The aircraft crashed into mountainous and wooded terrain near the city, killing all 152 people on board.
  • On 20 April 2012, a Boeing 737-200 (AP-BKC), Bhoja Air Flight 213 Karachi's Jinnah International Airport destined for Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport crashed near Chaklala, killing all 127 people on board.
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See also

References

Citations
  1. "PM names Islamabad Airport as Benazir Bhutto International Airport - GEO.tv". Archived from the original on 15 July 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  2. http://www.caapakistan.com.pk/upload/AT/stats/2015%20-%202016-APT.pdf
  3. http://www.caapakistan.com.pk/upload/AT/stats/2010%20-%202011-APT.pdf
  4. caapakistan.com.pk – Major Traffic Flows By Airport During The Year 2008–09 Archived 13 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Iftikhar A. Khan. "Islamabad airport set to get a new look". Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  6. webdesk (22 March 2015). "'Rs399m spent on renovation, expansion of Islamabad airport'".
  7. "New Islamabad International Airport to be operational from May 3: official". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 18 April 2018.

Bibliography

Media related to Benazir Bhutto International Airport at Wikimedia Commons

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