GWADAR: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight successfully landed at the New Gwadar International Airport on Monday, marking the first commercial aircraft to arrive since the airport’s inauguration.
Newly constructed Pakistan’s largest Gwadar New International Airport (NGIA) started flight operations on January 10 when a flight, PIA PK 197, departed for Muscat, Oman.
PIA flight PK-503 departed from Karachi at 9:50 am with 46 passengers on board and touched down at Gwadar’s state-of-the-art facility at 11:15 am.
Defence and Aviation Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif welcomed passengers at the airport.
Speaking at the event, the minister said the New Gwadar International Airport will play an important role in boosting economic growth, regional tourism, and international connectivity.
A PIA spokesperson hailed the landing as a proud moment for Pakistan, noting that the airport is a key step toward unlocking Gwadar’s potential as a hub for trade and development.
The airport’s opening symbolizes the beginning of a new era in air travel for the region, paving the way for enhanced global and regional connectivity while fostering economic opportunities.
New Gwadar International Airport
The New Gwadar International Airport, spanning 4,300 acres, has become Pakistan’s largest airport. It is a flagship project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), built with Chinese collaboration.
Gwadar Airport includes cold storage, cargo facilities, and banking services through the State Bank of Pakistan.
The $60.2 billion Chinese-funded facility, part of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), developed in partnership with Oman, and China.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone in 2019.
Last October, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the project virtually.
The airport, located 26 kilometers east of Gwadar city, is Pakistan’s second greenfield airport. Pakistan Planning Ministry said that the project received more than half funding from China. Oman also contributed.
Modern Infrastructure and Capabilities
The airport boasts a 14,000-square-meter terminal building, capable of handling 400,000 passengers annually. It includes a cargo terminal with a capacity of 30,000 tons per year.
The runway is 3,658 meters long and 75 meters wide, meeting international standards. It can accommodate the world’s largest aircraft, such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747. Five aircraft can park simultaneously.
Advanced navigation systems, an air traffic control tower, and weather-resistant landing equipment enable operations in all conditions. The airport also features high-tech security, a desalination plant, a grid station, and fiber-optic systems.
Management and Future Expansion
The airport will be managed jointly by Pakistan, China, and Oman under an Open Skies Policy. However, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) will oversee operations.
The new Gwadar airport is a significant milestone for Pakistan, enhancing connectivity and supporting the region’s economic growth.
