KARACHI: Secretary Aviation Division and Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority confessed before Lahore High Court that runway dimensions and facilities of Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore (AIIAP) are not fit for landing and takeoff of Airbus 380 aircraft.

It was disclosed yesterday in para-wise comments against writ petition No.48282/2022 filed by Zarin Gul Durrani, Joint Director of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). Petitioner Zarain Gul Durrani challenged fraudulent issuance of PCAA certificate as 4F category July 27, 2022 for main runways (36R/18L) of Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore; while actually, this is 4E category, thus endangering lives of air travellers.

Petition was filed against Secretary Aviation Division, various officials of PCAA and private companies involved in construction of new runways. Nabeel Javed Kahloon, Advocate for petitioner had requested court to suspend operation of Aerodrome certificate as 4F issued by DG PCAA and Director of Directorate of Aerodrome and Airspace Regulations for main runway (36R/18L) of Airport, till final outcome of main writ petition. This was illegal and unlawful in eyes of law, he said. Amna Warsi and Ayasha Warsi advocates on behalf of respondents in their para-wise reply stated that runway dimensions clearly meet ICAO criteria for 4F. However, there will be restrictions with regard to weight of aircraft. This is reason for issuance of Aerodrome Certificate AIIAP as Code 4F or below (Restricted).

They said in case of any emergency situation, even Airbus 380 can land but would not be parked at Terminal Building due to its Wingspan. Strength of existing Taxiways and Apron has been planned for execution in Phases 3&4 after which restrictions will be removed for Code 4F aircraft, lawyers added.

National Courier in its report on August 11, 2022 mentioned that according to details PC-1 Performa for construction and upgradation of main runway (36R-18L) of Airport was approved for billions of rupees in August 2019. DG, PCAA issued impugned Aerodrome certificate, with specific information on impugned certified that this runway is certified as 4F, category, with restriction of dimension and strength of taxiways and Apron as published in AIP Pakistan on July 27, 2022. As per requirement wide body Aircraft Airbus A-380 requires 3800 meters of a runway with (MTOW) maximum Takeoff weight, whereas runway of Allama Iqbal International Airport is only 3360 meters in length, hence said Aircraft with (MTOW) could not take off from said runways.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 09 2022

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