In March 2015, a new terminal building was formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister Emeritus of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.[2] Following the opening of the new terminal, passenger traffic soared from 384,571 in 2014–2015, to 904,865 in 2015–2016.[3]
History
Early beginning
Multan International Airport traces its origins to the British Empire, when the Royal Air Force used the open space to fly in and out of the region during 1919.[4] The area was used for aircraft that were able to land on gravel and grass surfaces. In 1934, Imperial Airways started to use the airfield for civil aircraft flights since Multan was considered a strategic position in the Punjab province of India. It was not until 1938 that Imperial Airways started to operate regular flights out of Multan. The flight would originate in Lahore, then fly into Multan, where it would continue its journey to Jacobabad and then Karachi.[citation needed]
Following the independence of Pakistan from the British, Pak Air, a new airline to the dominion, started operations from Multan Airport. Multan Flying Club was also set up at the airport within the same year.[citation needed] It was not until the birth of the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines, in 1957, that PIA started operations from Multan Airport using Douglas DC-3 aircraft.[citation needed] In 1963, due to growth of the number of flights and larger aircraft requirements, the runway, taxiways and aprons where carpeted using bitumen. A new control tower was constructed to meet the technological changes at that time. In 1971, as PIA had acquired Boeing aircraft, the runway was extended to 2,743 by 30 m (9,000 by 100 ft) to handle heavier aircraft and more passengers.[citation needed] The terminal building was extended in 1977, which also allowed the airport to handle Boeing 720 aircraft. In 1980–1988, the airport runway was strengthened and re-carpeted for the arrival of the Airbus A300. It was not until 1999 that Pakistan International Airlines and the private airline Aero Asia operated international flights from the airport. Flights began to destinations in the Middle East such as Dubai and Kuwait.[citation needed]
Recent development
Multan International Airport's new terminal was built in 2015.
As the demand for air travel began to surge, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority decided to upgrade the facilities for the airport in 2005.[5] Initially the runway was upgraded to handle Boeing 747-400 operations at a cost of Rs 720m. On 15 December 2006, Shaheen Air started four weekly flights from Karachi to Multan.[6] The airport also reported an operating profit of Rs 1bn within that year.[7]
In December 2007, Director General CAA, Farooq Rehmatullah held a press conference that the terminal building would be expanded as well as airside facilities at a cost of Rs4.5bn.[8] In April 2009, the runway, taxiways and apron were upgraded so the airport could handle large aircraft.[9] The groundbreaking ceremony was held by the then PM Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani. Pakistan-based Engineering Consultants International Limited (ECIL) was awarded the contract to extend the runway and expand the terminal building.[10]
In January 2010, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority decided that a brand new terminal with four jet bridges would be constructed instead of expanding the current terminal.[11] In June 2010, PM Yousaf Raza Gillani carried out the ground breaking ceremony for the terminal building and inaugurated the first Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 747Hajj flight on 28 October 2010.[citation needed]
In March 2015, the new terminal of Multan International Airport was formally inaugurated by PM Nawaz Sharif with former PM Yousaf Raza Gillani as well as several high-ranking officials.[12] All operations have now shifted from the old terminal to the new one, with flights increasing with more destinations and routes being opened up for the city of Multan. Keeping the international standards in view, a new air traffic control tower was constructed as well which is equipped with modern equipment and navigation systems.[citation needed] A cargo complex of international standard has also been established with a capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes per year to host international cargo flights from Multan which will boost exports of fruits particularly mangos and vegetables. There are plans that this would further increase to 30,000 metric tonnes every year.[citation needed]
After the transfer of all operations to new terminal, Airblue announced it would start a twice a week flight service for Islamabad from 3 April 2015. Airblue also announced it would start twice a week service for Jeddah from 4 April 2015 and twice weekly service for Sharjah from 10 April 2015. Qatar Airways announced it would start 3 times a week service by A320 with 2 class seating for Doha - Multan sector from 1 August 2015 to get the facility for connections to USA and Europe. Air Arabia announced 4 weekly flights for Sharjah - Multan sector from 1 May 2015. Flydubai announced it would increase its 3 times weekly service to daily flights for Multan from 26 May 2015 as they got a good load for the sector. Air Arabia also got a successful response so they announced they would increase its service to daily flights for Multan from 31 May 2015. Emirates announced they were going to start 4 times a week flight operation by Boeing 777-300 with two-class seating to provide service for Dubai - Multan sector from 1 August 2015 which will facilitate the travelers to get connections for MENA Region, Far East, USA and Europe, this service will also provide the international cargo facility as every flight can carry up to 23 tonnes of cargo.[13]Flydubai announced they would increase its frequency to 9 flights a week from 10 July 2015, two additional flights will provide the service on Wednesdays and Fridays to facilitate the travelers to/from Multan.[14] After getting a successful business on Jeddah and Sharjah routes Airblue announced it would start twice a week flight service for Medina as well from 18 August 2015. Pakistan International Airlines opened more new routes from Multan, announcing the introduction of one weekly flight to Abu Dhabi by A320 from 26 October 2015 and one weekly flight for Muscat from 14 November 2015, also using the A320. Gulf Air expanded their operation in Pakistan, opening more routes so they announced four weekly flights by A320 for Bahrain - Multan sector from 14 December 2015 which will also provide connections to the USA.[15]Shaheen Air International added Riyadh in its schedule as a new destination from Multan with twice a week service by using A320 from 6 April 2016. Airblue is increasing its operation for Multan and they announced it would start 4 weekly flights in between Karachi and Multan from 19 April 2016 by using A320. Pakistan International Airlines also started a new route in between Multan and Riyadh by providing 1 weekly flight from 21 April 2016. Taban Air of Iran started their seasonal service in between Mashhad and Multan from 17 May 2016. Air Indus operations have ceased and no longer services from Multan to Karachi anymore as of June 2016. Airblue started flying from Dubai to Multan sector with 2 weekly flights on 23 November 2016. Pakistan International Airlines also resumed their 2 weekly flights in between Multan and Quetta from 1 December 2016. Saudia started its operation for Multan from 1 April 2017 by adding 4 weekly flights in between Jeddah and Multan to get his share from the market. Shaheen Air International added one more destination to Multan by starting 1 weekly flight in between Multan and Muscat from 24 April 2017. Oman's Salam Air is adding Pakistan in their network and they announced it would start 3 weekly flights in between Muscat and Multan from 23 May 2017. Emirates announced to end operations to Multan on 26 October 2018[citation needed] but it carries on codeshare connections with Flydubai to Dubai. Gulf Air ended their operations to Multan on the 26th of October,2024.
Structure
Multan International Airport is fitted with all the essentials for domestic and international flights with the inauguration of the new terminal. The information below is correct as of April 2016.[16]
Immigration counters at International Departure.
Apron
Four boarding jet bridges (Bay-1, 2, 3 and 4).
Two wide-body and four narrow-body aircraft nose in parking available.[17]
Equipped with complete airfield lighting system (dimensions: 230 m × 145 m (755 ft × 475 ft) with 11 m (35 ft) shoulders)
Runway
ILS/DME VOR/NDB equipped 18/36 runway (dimensions: 3,204 m × 46 m (10,512 ft × 151 ft) with 7.6 m (25 ft) shoulders on each side).
Cargo/Freight Services provided by Pakistan International Airlines, booking can be made at PIA Booking Office located at Abdali Road or Airport Cargo Office.
International Cargo/Freight Service provided by Emirates as their flights are capable of carrying up to 23 tonnes of cargo which helps local exporters to send their cargo to any of 78 countries in the world where Emirates operates.
Flying Schools/ Institutions
Multan Flying Club
Additional
Pakistan Meteorological Department
Ramada Hotels counter
Foreign Currency Exchange Counter
Airlines and destinations
PIA Boeing 747-300 taking off from the newly renovated runway.
Multan International Airport is situated in the well populated area of cantonment and it is easily accessible through Airport Road by using Jamil Abad Road from any part of the city. There is a drop off lane at the front of the terminal as well as a wide car parking area which can accommodate more than 400 vehicles.
Taxi
Metro Radio Cab Services provides service directly from the airport and their counter is situated at the landside of the terminal to book the cab.
Private rental car facilities are also available at the airport.
Rickshaw
There are also a number of traditional auto-rickshaws available at the airport parking area and entrance which are quite popular to travel short distances within the city.
Train
Multan Cantonment railway station is the nearest railway station, less than 3 km away from the airport to get the railway connections to other parts of the country.
Statistics
The following table provides details of the major traffic flows out of Multan in terms of passenger numbers, aircraft movements, cargo, and mail. The results were collected by the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan:[24]
On 10 July 2006, a Fokker F-27 Friendship - 200 took off from Multan International Airport. Flight PK688 suffered engine problems soon after take-off, causing the pilot to lose control. The aircraft crashed in a nearby grassy field, causing it to catch fire on impact leaving all 45 passengers and crew dead. One flight attendant survived the crash but later on died in hospital.
^"Dnata". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2015. Gerry's dnata expands its footprint with three new airport locations in Pakistan
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