ISLAMABAD: The opening of new Islamabad International Airport has been delayed and it will be now functional from May 3 instead of April 20, a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) official said Wednesday.

Geo News quoted CAA director planning Nadir Shafi Dar as saying the flight operation at new Islamabad Airport could begin on May 3.

The official said domestic and international airlines had been conveyed the message of delay in opening of the airport.

However, sources at CAA said Prime Minister Shahiq Khaqan Abbasi will inaugurate the new airport on May 01 and the flight operation will begin on May 03.

Earlier, Secretary Aviation Sqn Ldr (R) Muhammad Irfan Elahi had told The News on Monday that Despite non-availability of gas and some other issues beside a major water pipeline leakage, the New Islamabad International Airport is set to be operational on Friday (April 20).

A video showing huge inundated area of the airport went viral on social media on Monday night along with rumours that the inauguration of the airport has been cancelled.

Aviation secretary confirmed that formal inauguration has been moved from April 23 to May 1 without clearly spelling out the reason for the postponement. However he insisted that airport would become functional on April 20 as per the original plan.

The News, citing sources, had reported that the airport is not 100 percent ready to be operational owing to non-completion of some blocks for Airport Security Force, non-availability of fuel gas, and poor state of cleanliness. The airport cost has already crossed Rs81 billion.

They added that ASF basecamp is not complete and only blocks have been prepared so far which can accommodate 1,100 ASF personnel while the actual required ASF strength is 2,500. Currently there is no electricity and potable water available at ASF basecamp and a generator is being used to run the electronic equipment, sources said.

There are no arrangements for the residences of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) staff. Kitchen for Pakistan International Airline is also not ready.