Gwadar airport up and running

ISLAMABAD: The New Gwadar International Airport, a flagship project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), on Monday became operational with the arrival first flight of national flag carrier from Karachi.

“Pakistan achieved a landmark moment in its aviation history on Monday as the first commercial flight successfully landed at the New Gwadar International Airport,” Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) said.

The PIA flight PK-503, departing from Karachi at 9:50am, touched down at the state-of-the-art Gwadar facility at 11:15am, carrying 46 passengers, officially marking the commencement of flight operations at the newly inaugurated airport.

The inaugural flight at the New Gwadar International Airport was welcomed with water cannon salute. Defence and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif was joined by Balochistan Governor Jafar Khan Mandokhel and Chief Minister Sarfaraz Ahmad Bugti to welcome the historic flight and its passengers.

Spreading over 4,300 acres, the airport is Pakistan’s largest in terms of area. Located 26 kilometers from Gwadar city in the Gurandani area, the airport features a single runway measuring 3,658 meters landmark moment in its aviation history on Monday as the first commercial flight successfully landed at the New Gwadar International Airport,” Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) said.

The PIA flight PK-503, departing from Karachi at 9:50am, touched down at the state-of-the-art Gwadar facility at 11:15am, carrying 46 passengers, officially marking the commencement of flight operations at the newly inaugurated airport.

The inaugural flight at the New Gwadar International Airport was welcomed with water cannon salute. Defence and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif was joined by Balochistan Governor Jafar Khan Mandokhel and Chief Minister Sarfaraz Ahmad Bugti to welcome the historic flight and its passengers.

Spreading over 4,300 acres, the airport is Pakistan’s largest in terms of area. Located 26 kilometers from Gwadar city in the Gurandani area, the airport features a single runway measuring 3,658 meters in length and 75 meters in width.

The airport is capable of handling 400,000 passengers with special facilities for them every year, and is equipped with latest air traffic control system and security features, navigational aids

The runway is capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747. Constructed at a cost of $246 million (approximately Rs50 billion) funded by the Pakistan government, Chinese government and Oman, the airport’s symbolic inauguration was carried out by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on October 14, 2024.

The foundation stone of the project was laid in November, 2019. While hailing the operationalization of News Gwadar International Airport, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement on Monday, said that it was another milestone to link Gwadar with other parts the country and the entire region.

“Today, by the grace of Allah Almighty, another milestone has been achieved to create an important link between Gwadar and Central and East Asia, and the Middle East and Gulf countries.”

He noted that the completion of the landmark project was yet another symbol of Pakistan-China friendship. “Today, we have come closer to fulfilling the joint commitment of the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for the development of Pakistan and the region through the CPEC,” the prime minister said, adding that by the Grace of Allah, CPEC started during the tenure of Nawaz Sharif and is now achieving important milestones under his leadership.

Shehbaz said that the opening of the New Gwadar International Airport would realise the dream of development of Pakistan and the region through CPEC. He said that the entire nation was grateful to the Chinese leadership and the government as the country always played a key role in the development of Pakistan.

He said that the operationalisation of the was a great step forward to strengthen connectivity within Pakistan as well as the entire region. He also lauded the defence and aviation minister and Balochistan chief minister and his government, security personnel and military leadership for their tireless efforts to ensure the completion of the airport.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the defence and aviation minister emphasised the strategic importance of the New Gwadar International Airport in driving economic growth, fostering regional tourism, and strengthening international connectivity.

He said that the facility would play an important role to promote trade and tourism in the country besides bringing positive change in Pakistan’s economy. “We have put Gwadar on the path of progress and prosperity through CPEC,” he said.

The minister also thanked the Chinese government for the completion of the New Gwadar International Airport. Other notable attendees included Airports Security Force Director General Maj Gen Adnan, Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) Director General Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Zeeshan Saeed, General Officer Commanding 44 Division Major General Adnan Sarwar Malik, Pakistan Navy Rear Admiral Adnan, Airports Deputy Director General Sadiqur Rehman, Gwadar District Commissioner Hamodur Rehman.

Khawaja Asif distributed certificates and shields to distinguished guests for their contributions to the airport’s success. Recipients included Chief Minister Bugti, Governor Mandokhel, Aviation Secretary Mangi, PIA CEO AVM Amir Hayat, the DG ASF, Rear Admiral Adnan and various project officials.

The aviation secretary and DG PAA presented a shield to the aviation minister in recognition of his leadership in advancing Pakistan’s aviation sector. Earlier, addressing the inauguration ceremony, Balochistan CM Sarfaraz Bugti termed the operationalisation of New Gwadar International Airport a milestone for the development of Balochistan which would lead the province on new paths of prosperity and economic stability.

He said that this airport is a historic project not only for Balochistan but also for the whole of Pakistan which would be helpful in promoting trade activities at national and international levels.

He said that the facility would connect the area with major cities of the world, adding that it would provide employment opportunities to the local people and increase training and job opportunities for the youth.

“The people of Gwadar have always played a key role in the development of Balochistan and their cooperation is the foundation of our successes,” he said.

He expressed his determination that more such development projects would be launched in the province that could bring positive change in the lives of the people of Balochistan. The New Gwadar International Airport is poised to play a pivotal role in connecting Pakistan to global markets and facilitating trade, tourism, and economic development. The successful landing of PIA flight PK-503 is a significant step toward realizing Gwadar’s potential as a regional and global hub for commerce and connectivity.