The New Gwadar International Airport is now set to begin operations after its completion.
In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, it was briefed that flights from Gwadar to Muscat will commence on January 10 next year. Additionally, the current Karachi-Gwadar flight operation by PIA will soon increase to three days a week.
During the briefing, it was revealed that the New Gwadar International Airport is the largest in the country by area and capable of handling A-380 aircraft. The airport will facilitate up to 4 million passengers annually.
The Pakistan Airport Authority has issued an aerodrome certificate for the Gwadar Airport, while Pakistan Customs has also officially notified the airport. Staff from CAA, ASF, Customs, ANF, and FIA have already been deployed at the facility.
Officials stated that discussions are underway with private airlines, as well as with China, Oman, and the UAE, for flight operations. Facilities such as cold storage, warehouses, courier services, and cargo sheds have been allocated space at the airport. Furthermore, technical ground support equipment, fuel farms, hotels, and shopping malls have also been designated areas.
Banks have been contacted for establishing branches and installing ATMs at the airport.
Speaking at the meeting, the Prime Minister said the new Gwadar International Airport is a testament to the deep friendship between Pakistan and China. He expressed gratitude to China for building this international-standard airport with modern facilities, which is expected to bring prosperity to the region and create job opportunities. The Prime Minister emphasized devising a practical strategy to make the airport a transit point.
It is worth noting that the construction of Gwadar International Airport cost approximately PKR 55 billion. Its runways meet global standards and can accommodate all large aircraft, including the Airbus A380. The Gwadar International Airport is a vital project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and was constructed by the Civil Aviation Authority with China’s collaboration.
