Pakistan: New airport inaugurated in Islamabad May 1

Event

On Tuesday, May 1, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi inaugurated a long-delayed new airport located 15 km (9 mi) from the capital Islamabad, replacing Benazir Bhutto International Airport (ISB). The new airport is due to begin operations on Thursday, May 3. Following more than a decade of planning, the airport will reportedly be able to handle 9 million passengers annually at present and 25 million passengers annually by 2025. 

Context

The airport was originally scheduled to reopen on April 20, but was delayed due to technical problems. 

Advice

Travelers are advised to contact their airlines for more information on the new airport. As a reminder, security was tightened at Pakistani airports following several terrorist attacks in 2014. Travelers are advised to exercise vigilance and to adhere to all instructions issued by security and airport personnel.