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JINNAH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - (JIAP)
KARACHI
Jinnah International Airport (JIAP) Karachi is Pakistan's largest international
and domestic airport. It consist of four terminals, Terminal-I, II, III and the
Jinnah Terminal. The airport is named after Crown attorney/statesman Muhammad Ali
Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan and its first Governor General, who was popularly
known as the Quaid-e-Azam ("Great Leader").
1924
- Karachi became the main airport
-
an aerodrome was built and Karachi became the main airport of entry into British
- India. Currently JIAP has acquired very wide land 3,000 Acres (approx.) for Aerodrome
in which 1327 Acres in operational Use, 158 Acres in Terminal I, II & III while
23 Acres in JTC building, with two Runway (i.e, RWY 025R/07L & RWY 025L/07R) with
all associated provisions of Navigational-Aids & allied equipments, today JIAP has
more than Qty: 50 designated parking positions in normal conditions for commercial
& non-commercial aircrafts.
1925
- October 1, 1925
-
Karachi airport has the honor that when the international air routes were surveyed
beyond the Europe, the Cairo-Karachi air route had been completed first in the start
of air routes of British Empire.
1927
- Kala Chapra
-
An airship mooring mast was also built with a huge black hangar 850 ft long, 170
ft high and 180 ft wide (known locally as Kala Chapra) a cost of pounds sterling
93,000, at the site of Karachi Airport, to house / hanger the British R-101 Airship
(see inset picture of R-101), as part of the Imperial Airship Communications scheme.
Only three hangars were ever built in the world to dock and hangar the R-101 airships.
This hangar was so huge that aircraft often used it as a visual marker while attempting
VFR landings at Karachi.
1929
- April 7, 1929 - Karachi Airport was the first airport in South
Asia
-
Karachi Airport was the first airport in South Asia where the imperial airways’
aircraft landed on from London, making Karachi International Airport the first airport
in South Asia to be used by a commercial flight. Further, the Singapore, Australia,
Hong Kong and New Zealand were discovered via Karachi as air route during period
of 1929-1933.
1938
- December 1938 - The Karachi Airport and its Terminal building
-
The Karachi Airport and its Terminal building (presently HQCAA Terminal-I) was reconstructed
and It was officially opened for flight operations after receiving the first letter
send by the British authorities to the subcontinent British Raj. The picture placed
opposite showing the date written on the left hand as December 1938.
1939-1945
- World War-II and the Karachi Airport (Terminal-I)
-
During World War-II Karachi Airport (Terminal-I) was a major trans- shipment base
for US Forces units. Air Technical Service Command had extensive facilities where
aircraft were received assembled and tested prior to being flown to their combat
units at forward airfields. Karachi Airport also functioned as a major maintenance
and supply depot for both air forces.
1948
- July 9, 1948 - Pakistan postage stamps
-
HQCAA Terminal-1 building had been printed on Pakistan postage stamps from 1948
to 1954, on 6, 8, 10 & 12 Annas (Pak. Currency) stamps. The stamp on the picture
is issued on first Independence Day of Pakistan where terminal building with retaining
of its original façade, on a 10 Annas as shown.
1959
- Aug 14, 1959 - PIA aircraft, Viscount-815
-
PIA aircraft, Viscount-815, (AP-AJE) encountered the accident at Karachi airport
during its training flight, the aircraft (probably carrying out an ILS approach)
was not properly lined up with the runway and its yawed almost 90deg to starboard,
causing the right wing to strike a blast pen wall. The aircraft then crashed in
flames.
1961
- Jan. 25, 1961 - the opening of the new Jet Runway
-
Mr. M. Shoaib, Finance Minister, performs the opening of the new Jet Runway (07L
/ 25R) at Karachi Airport by pressing button. On his left is Air Commodore A. Qadir,
Director-General Civil Aviation. PIA’s Boeing 707 was the first aircraft, which
took off to mark the opening ceremony.
Employees of the US Corps of Engineers and the Vinnel Corporation responsible for
the construction of the Rs 28 million runway.
1976
- Apr. 10, 1976 - Philippine Airlines (PAL)
-
A Philippine Airlines (PAL) jet carrying three hijackers and 10 hostages landed
at Karachi International Airport where it expected to remain overnight
before flying on to Libya. Hijacking of this Philippine aircraft ended in bloodshed
at the island of Mindanao, Philippine.
1986
- Sep. 5, 1986 - Four armed men hijacked Pan Am Flight-73
-
Four armed men hijacked Pan Am Flight-73 on the day. The Boeing 747 with 379 on
board including crew was preparing to depart from Karachi International Airport
for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
1992
- Aug. 1992
-
The Jinnah Terminal Complex was completed in 1992 at a cost of US $100 million -
at the time, the most expensive civil construction project in Pakistan, The JIAP
now provides a primary hub for the flag carrier, of our national airlines as well
as many other private airlines and international carriers. The airport has equipped
latest Radar technology with aircraft engineering and overhauling facilities.
