Mayhem rules old Islamabad airport as new opens door to public

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PakistanToday
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The long-awaited new airport in Islamabad opened its doors to the public on Thursday, however, the old Benazir Bhutto International Airport became a scene of chaos as authorities hurried to vacate passengers.

Pakistani journalist and writer Nasim Zehra took to Twitter and shared a picture of what appeared to be an overcrowded departure lounge at the old Benazir Bhutto International Airport and wrote that “mayhem” ruled the situation.

“Mayhem: Shocking situation at the Islamabad International departure area- several flights leaving close to each other – passengers packed like sardines- pushing and shoving and likely to miss flights. ‘Management’s explanation: Airport has to shut down so sending off all flights before 10 am,” Zehra wrote in her Tweet.

Benazir Bhutto International Airport, which will close its operations on Thursday was renowned for its long lines and ramshackle ways, doubling as a military base that lacked any boarding bridges.

In 2014 the facility was named the world’s worst airport by the online Sleeping in Airports guide, which compared the airport to a “central prison” plagued by “aggressive-yet-inconsistent security checks”, corruption and an overall lack of hygiene and technology.

On the other hand, the new Islamabad International Airport opened its doors to the public. Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority Pervez George while talking to AFP stated,  “The new Islamabad International Airport became fully operational on Thursday with the departure and arrival of several domestic and international flights”.

“Flights took off from and landed at the new airport today as scheduled,” he added.

Just two weeks ago, the opening of the airport was delayed after it was revealed the facility did not have any drinking water or completed restrooms.

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