Karachi – The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) held its monthly DG PAA E-Kacheri today, chaired by Deputy Director General (Works & Development) Sumair Saeed, along with senior officials, including the Directors of Commercial, HR, Operations, SQMS, and P&D.
Rrplying to a query, Saeed informed that the runway at Dera Ghazi Khan Airport will be extended by 3,000 meters and widened to 45 meters, with development works expected to conclude by December 2026, following the consultant’s report.
He added that feasibility studies are under way for a new Sukkur International Airport, while upgrading the existing Sukkur Airport to international standards is also being considered.
The Dy DG clarified that DG Khan and Hyderabad Airports remain available for operations and that airline route decisions depend on commercial viability assessments.
Participants raised various passenger service-related issues, including baggage handling, lost valuables, airline refunds, and staff behavior. Concerns about forklifts operated by unlicensed personnel, parking charges, and passenger inconvenience at Peshawar, Islamabad, and Sialkot airports were also discussed.
Saeed issued on-the-spot instructions to airport managers for immediate redressal and directed that relevant matters be shared with the Civil Aviation Authority for action.
Emphasizing transparency, he said passengers should be informed and educated regarding compensation mechanisms for delayed or canceled flights, as effective communication fosters trust and accountability.
Responding to a question on Serene Air, the DyDG said the regulator suspended its AOC after the airline failed to maintain a single airworthy aircraft.
Regarding a gold theft complaint, Additional Director Security said inquiries were completed, and the complainant or representative should contact airport management to lodge an FIR for further investigation.
Concluding, Saeed thanked participants, noting that public feedback helps PAA improve airport operations and passenger services.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
