ISLAMABAD: The opening of new Islamabad International Airport has been delayed and it will be now functional from May 03 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 03. The official said domestic and international airlines had been conveyed the message of delay in opening of the airport.

It is the biggest international airport of the country in terms of landing and passenger handling facilities. It will not be named after any personality and its official name will be "Islamabad International Airport (IIAP)".

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.

A full-body scanner is pictured during a media tour of the newly built Islamabad International Airport. REUTERS

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.

A general view of the newly-built Islamabad International Airport ahead of its official opening. AFP