The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is considering the construction of a new international airport in Peshawar and relocating the existing Bacha Khan International Airport to a site outside the city. Officials say the move is being explored to address safety concerns and the challenges created by the airport’s location in a densely populated urban area.
The proposal came under discussion during a meeting held on Tuesday and chaired by Riaz Khan Mehsud, the Commissioner of Peshawar Division. The meeting focused on preparing the initial groundwork for the potential project and identifying possible locations where a new airport could be built.
Officials briefed the participants that around 2,500 acres of land would be required for the development of a modern airport facility. They stressed that the selected site must be secure, spacious and located away from densely populated neighbourhoods to ensure smooth operations and future expansion.
During the discussion, participants noted that the presence of Bacha Khan International Airport within the city has created several issues over time. These include increasing traffic congestion around the airport area, security concerns and pressure from the city’s growing population. In light of these factors, officials said relocating the airport is being considered as a possible long-term solution.
Several potential sites were discussed during the meeting. These included Mathani, Azakhel, Surizai, Mamo Khatki, Naaguman and Bara Akakhel.
After reviewing these options, the authorities will prepare recommendations for the most suitable location. These recommendations will be submitted to Sohail Afridi and Syed Shahab Ali Shah for further consideration.
To move the process forward, the commissioner directed the Deputy Commissioner Peshawar to form a committee led by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (General). The committee will include officials from the Revenue Department, representatives of the Pakistan Airports Authority and other technical experts.
The committee will conduct a detailed survey of the proposed locations, review their feasibility and prepare initial groundwork before submitting a formal report to the provincial government.
