KARACHI: The reconstructed main runway at Jinnah International Airport was formally inaugurated on Saturday by Secretary of Defence Lt. Gen. (Retd) Muhammad Ali, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed.
During the inauguration ceremony, the Secretary was briefed on the technical specifications and execution of the project. According to PAA, the reconstruction was completed within the designated 18-month timeframe and without any cost overruns.
The Secretary of Defence lauded the runway’s upgrade to Code 4-F classification — a top-tier international aviation standard — enabling the airport to handle larger, wide-body aircraft. The first commercial flight is scheduled to land on the newly reconstructed runway on February 19.
Overflights and Revenue Structure
PAA currently facilitates approximately 400 to 450 overflights daily through Pakistan’s airspace. Overflight charges are calculated based on an aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), ranging between $0.44 and $1.30 per kilometer.
The authority clarified that it does not levy taxes on passengers; excise duties are imposed and collected directly by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
In addition to overflight and landing charges, PAA collects airport charges from departing passengers — PKR 600 for domestic and PKR 4,600 for international departures. These revenues are reinvested into airport infrastructure, terminal upgrades, equipment modernization, and passenger facilitation initiatives across airports under PAA’s management.
Landing charges are determined according to MTOW, while parking fees are applied per ton per hour, with the first two hours free for both domestic and international aircraft. There are no separate takeoff or double-charge provisions.
Concessions to Support Aviation Sector
As part of its facilitative aviation policy, PAA provides multiple concessions to airlines. No air navigation charges are applied to domestic flights, while scheduled services at secondary airports are exempt from landing and housing charges. Notably, domestic tariff rates have not been revised for over a decade.
PAA stated that flight suspensions typically arise due to technical or operational reasons, which are addressed by the respective airlines. Passenger complaints regarding airline operations fall under the jurisdiction of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), while PAA handles concerns related to airport facilities and passenger services.
Beyond operations, PAA continues to play a key role in modernizing aviation infrastructure, enhancing regional connectivity, and supporting trade, tourism, and investment. The runway upgrade at Karachi Airport marks another milestone in strengthening Pakistan’s air transport network and contributing to national economic growth.
