A major step towards developing modern aviation infrastructure in Faisalabad was taken as the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) signed a consultancy agreement with internationally renowned Lebanese engineering firm Dar Al-Handasah for the greenfield airport project, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Wednesday.
According to the PAA, the signing of the agreement has formally initiated the master planning phase of the Faisalabad greenfield airport project, marking the beginning of a significant infrastructure development initiative.
The agreement was signed by the director general of the Pakistan Airports Authority, Zeeshan Saeed, and the country manager of Dar Al-Handasah, Rami Bediwoun.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Director General Airports Sadiqur Rehman and Deputy Director General Works and Development Sameer Saeed, while Director Planning and Development Ghulam Abbas Sheikh was also present on the occasion.
Under the agreement, consultancy services for the project will be provided by the joint venture DAR-OCL-ASIAN JV Work on the greenfield airport project is scheduled to commence from April 21, 2026.
A greenfield airport refers to a facility developed on previously unused land, allowing planners and engineers to design and construct infrastructure from scratch without the constraints of existing structures.
Such projects are often considered highly advantageous, as they eliminate the need for demolition and enable efficient, modern design and execution.
Globally, greenfield airports are gaining prominence, with major projects underway in cities such as Beijing, Istanbul, Sydney and Chennai.
Over the next two decades, the number of airports is expected to increase from 133 to 500. Of these, 367 are slated to be greenfield airports.
The Faisalabad project is expected to enhance regional connectivity, support economic growth and position the city as an emerging hub in Pakistan’s aviation landscape.
Reporter: Tayyab Saif