Pakistan’s Walton Airport in Lahore Cantonment area has been at the center of a corruption scandal, as the Aircraft Owners & Operators Association (AOOA) exposed the illegal sale of its land worth Rs 350 billion. The letter to the Federal Aviation Minister raised concerns about the violation of rules and regulations in exchange for rural land and Rs 50 million.
The AOOA’s letter to the Federal Ministry of Aviation/Defense stated, “Selling of the land of Walton Airport is a perfect case of violation of rules, regulations, and proceeds done through deception. The land is evaluated to be worth 350 Billion PKR or more, sold against the written rules of Civil Aviation Authority in exchange for rural land at Mureedke and 50 billion PKR.”
Highlighting the historical significance of Walton Airport, the AOOA emphasized its national asset status, noting that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah landed there in 1947. However, the association accused land mafias colluding with DG CAA and government officials of destroying the airport, calling it a clear case of systematic collapse due to greed.
The AOOA’s letter to Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the scandal at Walton Airport as a symbol of malpractice by CAA officials, leading to the ruin of the aviation industry. The closure of Walton Airport in 2021 by CAA further accentuated concerns, prompting action to ground planes and cease all operations at the airport following the expose.
