Sialkot International Airport

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In February 2001, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) for the construction, operation and management of Sialkot International Airport. Under the MoU, Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) was formed by SCCI to develop the airport on a build, own and operate (BOO) basis. The airport was developed to realize the full business potential of one of Pakistan’s most heavily industrialized region, the export-oriented golden triangle between Sialkot, Gujranwala and Gujrat. Before SIA, the region was served by Lahore and Islamabad Airports, which were fairly distant. According to the feasibility studies, the total savings generated by SIA was estimated at around US$ 51.49 million annually. The Government of Pakistan (GoP) was unable to fund the project due to financial constraints. SIA was designed to have a 3.6 km runway and an apron covering 45,000 square meters. At the time of its opening, SIA was estimated to serve 472,000 passengers per year and handle a cargo load of 24,000 tons per year. The total cost of the project was estimated at US$ 40 million. The project was owned and funded by the members of the SCCI. As of December 2006, SIAL had 250 industrialists and businessmen from the Sialkot region as directors on its board, and each of the directors had personally invested US$ 0.09 million generating a total of US$ 22.5 million. SIAL engaged National Engineering Services Pakistan (Pvt) Limited (NESPAK) to develop the master plan for SIA, which was further approved by CAA. Pakistan State Oil (PSO) was responsible for the provision of aviation, consumer and retail facilities at SIA. Australian company “inter-scan” was hired by SIAL to provide international standard travel facilities, guidance to the aircrafts and for the installation of air traffic control. After experiencing significant delays during the construction phase, SIA commenced commercial operations on Nov. 30, 2007. Not sure of the year of financial closure. http://www.sial.com.pk/index.htm