Saidu Sharif Airport in Swat to be reopened

ISLAMABAD: The government has in principle decided to make the Saidu Sharif Airport in Swat operational to promote tourism in the country.

Established in 1978, the airport used to handle two flights a day from Islamabad and Peshawar but it was closed down when the law and order situation in the valley deteriorated.

As part of preparations for reopening the airport, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) chief operating officer met with Federal Minister for Communication Murad Saeed, who also belongs to Swat.

According to a statement, the minister said Swat is one of the most beautiful areas in the country and that making the Saidu Sharif Airport operational will help promote tourism.

He said PIA’s collaboration is imperative for reopening the airport.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2019

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Comments (11) Closed

iffi

Jan 30, 2019 10:50am

Good move .. well done govt pti

Recommend 0

Abdullah

Jan 30, 2019 11:32am

More standard Airports with good facilities and other airlines should also operate

Recommend 0

Mak

Jan 30, 2019 12:20pm

Wish you Best ! People should go and enjoy .

Recommend 0

AQEEL AHMAD

Jan 30, 2019 12:33pm

If this happens, planning to visit Swat along with my family from Dubai.

Recommend 0

Awan

Jan 30, 2019 12:49pm

Punjab is now stagnant and PTI is only focusing on KP only. Faisalabad airport's runaway is now unfit for big planes and nobody cares. No development in Punjab since PTI has taken over.

Recommend 0

Habib Virani - Tanzania

Jan 30, 2019 01:15pm

PTI is still scorned even after its marvellous attempts to promot and bring dignity to the country with such attempts which were not thought of before. The country before Naya Pakistan wad secluded in Iron CURTAIN

Recommend 0

Sabir Pakistani

Jan 30, 2019 02:21pm

Good, with increasing population in Pakistan youth wants to explore every inch of Pakistan and for the past two years the foreign tourists are increasing in Pakistan. These facilities are must. Make more facilities available soon as tourism in the country will be a major thing.

Recommend 0

Tariq, Lahore

Jan 30, 2019 04:34pm

Excellent move and also rename it to Swat Airport!

Recommend 0

arshad

Jan 30, 2019 05:10pm

the only plane that can land in this airport are the PIA small ATRs. These plane are neither safe nor reliable and had lots of maintenance issues. Govt should also look into this as passenger safety should not not compromised

Recommend 0

jaredlee007

Jan 31, 2019 01:27am

Please PIA, train your pilots and crew so whey they fly planes they at least provide information to passengers about various beautiful arieal views.

Recommend 0

Azam khan

Jan 31, 2019 01:00pm

Good move , but it needs consistent work beyond media announcement. Previously also the government had made efforts at different times. The picture given is of 2012 when I was commanding there (I am standing wearing blue shirt near the steps). Further it's opening for domestic is not enough but it should be upgraded for international flights also. Because 737 can land there. The land has been acquired by government recently so no obstacle in it's upgradation. Anyone having some role in it's opening can contact me for any type of briefing helpful for it's opening. azamswat @ Yahoo.com

Recommend 0

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