RAWALPINDI: There were slight problems with delivering baggage to passengers at the new Islamabad International Airport (IIA) which have now been resolved, according to a statement issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

No major incidents or disruptions were witnessed on the first day the airportstarted operation.

`This is ample proof that the [CAA] has rehearsed extensivelybefore commencing its operations otherwise such giant projects do have a few problems in the beginning,` the statement says.

It goes on to say that all operations at the new airport are being monitored and that the few initial problems are being addressed on an emergency basis. All stakeholders, including the airlines, are coordinating to ensure smooth operations.

Airside operations, the most sensitive part of airport operations, are also going smoothly, it says.

The transition to the new airportwas conducted without disturbance of the flight schedule and such transitions are generally achieved after closing down airports for a day or two, the statement says.

The new airport can seat 4,500 passengers in its lounges at a time and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. It is the largest airport in the country and can serve nine million passengers and 150 metric ton cargo every year while its modular design enables expansion so it can serve 25 million passengers every year by 2025.