Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plans to start Multan-Jeddah direct flights shortly to facilitate the people particularly Umra pilgrims of Southern Punjab who have to catch international flights from Karachi, Lahore or Islamabad, said Khawaja Muhammad Jalaluddin Roomi Director of PIA and former President of MCCI in a press statement here on Monday.
He said that Multan airport was being upgraded to international airport, which would be a unique airport in Pakistan. The airport will be completed at a cost of Rs 4.5 billion. A modern cargo complex would be constructed, he said adding that the new airport and international flights would help boost the exports of mangoes, citrus, and fresh vegetables to Europe and Gulf states.
He said that the CAA has earmarked Rs 4.5 billion to upgrade and improve Multan Airport. The plan is to expand the existing Multan airport facility so that wide-bodied aircraft could land and take off for direct international passenger and cargo flights. He said that first phase of this project has already been completed three month before the schedule. Explaining the details, Roomi said that improvements include extension of runway from 9,000 to 11,000 feet, increasing the width of runway to 150 feet with 25 feet shoulders on each side, the runway was upgraded to Category E (Suitable for Boeing 747 aircraft).