| SIAL Newsletter March 2007 |
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SIAL Celebrates Independence Day |
| In order to celebrate Independence Day on 14th August 2006, SIAL invited the Directors, Shareholders and their families along with a number of dignitaries to the under construction International Airport. It was a splendid occasion indeed as two Cessna aircraft performed in an air show where honourable guests and children enjoyed the joyrides on the aircraft. A number of sorties were flown. The Chief Executive, Mr. Khawar Anwar Khawaja and a number of other speakers addressed the gathering on the importance and sanctity of Independence Day. National flag hoisting ceremony was also the highlight of the day.District Nazim Sialkot, Mr. Akmal Cheema along with Mr. Khawar Anwar Khawaja hoisted the national flag at the Apron. The event was followed by a sumptuous lunch.
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President Directs the Establishment of Support Services |
| SIAL was advised by the Government to pay for the establishment of support services like ASF, MET, Immigration / Customs at the Airport. It was a very perturbing development and the SIAL Management has been striving hard with the concerned quarters to exempt SIAL from payment, as is being done for other airports of the country. Ultimately, the matter was taken up with President General Pervez Musharraf, who very graciously appreciated the initiative of the private sector and directed that Sialkot Airport should not be made to pay for support services, which are basically government functions such as ASF, FIA (Immigration), Customs, MET etc. The patronage being extended to the first self-help based International Airport by the President shows that he attaches the highest priority to private sector investment which is a great source of satisfaction and relief for the investors of SIAL. These series of decisions demonstrate the commitment and will of the Goverment to help the private sector. |
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Installation of ATC & NAVAIDS Equipment Near Completion |
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It is a matter of pride that the airport is speedily heading towards its completion. Installation of ATC & NAVAIDS was started by M/s. Interscan Navigation System, Australia on 5th September 2006 which will be completed by the end of March 2007. |
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| Viability of the Project |
Mr. Mushtaq Hussain, a UK based investor, purchased 21 shares of Directorship of SIAL along with right shares after completion of due diligence process by a reputed financial and legal firm of Pakistan, which is indicative of the confidencein the viability of the project. A number of local and foreign investors are also showing keen interest to join SIAL as Directors. It is widely believed that the airport will become a vital economic engine for growth for the whole region. |
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| Sialkot International Airport |
Sialkot is one of the most progressive cities of the country, famous for manufacturing and exporting sports goods, leather products, surgical instruments, gloves, cutlery etc. all over the world. The exporters and business community had demonstrated great success by establishing and operating the first private sector Dry Port at Sambrial and they were determined to build an International Airport at Sialkot.
The new International Airport is being constructed by SIAL, a public limited company formed by them on self help basis, a unique initiative in the aviation world. The airport is located on a green field site of 1037 acres and has been targeted to be ready for Cargo and Domestic Flights by March 2007, whereas international passenger flights will operate by December 2007. A strategy has been adopted which will allow incremental expansion of the airport’s facilities without creating a need to re-build the existing areas. This strategy will provide flexibility to accommodate increasing air traffic in future. |
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| Facilities |
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The airport will be capable to facilitate operations and handling of all types of aircrafts including B-747 & B-777. Its Runway,Taxiway, Apron, AFL System, Cargo Complex, Fuel Farm and Domestic Terminal are ready for operations whereas the installation work of NAVAIDS and ATC Equipment will be completed by the end of January 2007. SIAL has also procured a full range of Ground Handling Equipment, the first airport in the country to operate its own TGS (Technical Ground Support). Similarly, three Fire Crash Tenders have been procured from England to meet ICAO’s CAT-9 Rescue & Fire Fighting requirements. |
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| Amenities |
SIAL has constructed an Amenities Block to accommodate the offices of Cargo Agencies, Business Centers, Banks, Restaurant etc. In addition, sufficient space is available in the Master Plan for the establishment of hotels, catering services, Duty Free shops, flying school etc. Some reputable agencies are also evaluating the commercial sites of the airport for advertisement purposes. The response from the airlines has been equally positive. The airlines, leading regional freight forwarders and banks are acquiring offices for their operations at the airport. |
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| Road Infarstructure |
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Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, the Chief Minister Punjab had approved the construction of Sialkot–Wazirabad and Dry Port–Airport Dual Carriageways. These approach roads will connect the airport with all major cities of the region. The Government of Punjab has been requested by SIAL high-ups to instruct the concerned Departments / Contractors to expedite the construction of these roads so that these are available by the time the airport is ready for commissioning. |
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Inauguration of the Airport |
| While the construction of various facilities is nearing completion, the SIAL Management has also stared preparations for inauguration of the airport expected to be carried out by General Pervez Musharraf, the President of Pakistan of new avenues of mutual co-operation |
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President of Pakistan Appoints a High Powered Committee for Operationalization of Sialkot International Airport |
| General Pervez Musharraf, the President of Pakistan has appointed a high powered committee to be chaired by Dr. Muhammad Akram Sheikh, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission comprising Secretary General CBR, DG Civil Aviation Authority and Chief Executive SIAL with the mandate to resolve the outstanding issues so that the airport is operational by end of March 2007.The first meeting of the Committee was held at Islamabad on 12th February 2007 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Muhammad Akram Sheikh, which was attended by senior officials of the Government Mr. Khawar Anwar Khawaja, CE SIAL made a brief presentation. The meeting proved to be very fruitful and productive indeed. |
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Vice Chief of Air Staff and Deputy DG CAA Visit Sialkot Airport |
| Air Marshal Rashid Kalim, Vice Chief of Air Staff PAF and Air Vice Marshal Safdar Khan, Deputy DG CAA accompanied by senior officials of Shaheen Foundation and Shaheen Airport Services (SAPS) visited Sialkot Airport on 1st February 2007. The PAF team arrived by PAF Aircraft at 1030 hours and was received by the members of SIAL Board. The visiting team was conducted to various airport facilities and was also briefed on the role the private sector airport will play as a vital economic engine for rapid growth in the whole region. The visit will help foster already cordial ties between the Civil Aviation Authority, Shaheen Foundation, PAF and SIAL apart from enhancement of new avenues of mutual co-operation. |
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Dr. Muhammad Akram Sheikh Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Visits Sialkot Iinternational Airport |
| Dr. Muhammad Akram Sheikh accompanied by Lt. Gen. (R) Muhammad Zubair, Member (Implementation & Monitoring) Planning Commission, Khawaja Shahab, Federal Secretary Ministry of Industries, Production and Special Initiatives visited Sialkot International Airport on 23rd January 2007, where he was briefed about the progress of the airport and matters concerning road infrastructure, deployment of Government Departments at the airport etc. The members of SIAL Executive Council also attended the presentation made by the Airport Management. |
