Peshawar airport suspends night operations for international flights
|
PESHAWAR: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has temporarily suspended night-time operations for international flights at Peshawar's Bacha Khan International Airport due to security reasons, officials said on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters today, Director General CAA Air Marshal (retd) Muhammad Yousaf said that the federal government has allocated almost Rs 6 billion for the provision of latest radar system and surveillance equipment and security arrangements of all airports in the country, which are being gradually beefed up to make the fool-proof.
He said that authorities are also acquiring the latest technological equipment to enhance the security of Bacha Khan airport.
The DG CAA remarked that out of 11 international airlines, only Etihad Airlines was yet to restore its flights from Peshawar while others are operational.
Peshawar airport has been the target of several militant attacks in the past.
In June this year, gunmen attacked a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane as it came in to land at the airport, killing a woman and injuring two flight stewards on board.
A major attack on the airport was launched by militants on Dec 15, 2012 during which nine people were killed and five militants, who were later identified as foreigners of Uzbek origin, were also gunned down.