New Gwadar airport to begin operations from January 20
A plane parks after completing its flight test at the China-aided New Gwadar International Airport in the southwest port city of Gwadar, Pakistan, June 4, 2024. The China-aided New Gwadar International Airport in Pakistan has started carrying out a five-day flight test from Tuesday, marking that the project is about to enter the final sprint stage, the airport's project management team said. PHOTO: XINHUA
Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced that the New Gwadar International Airport will officially start operations from January 20.
The airport, a key development for the region, is expected to become a hub for both domestic and international flights, Express News reported.
The CAA issued a notification, confirming that the airport will be operational from January 20, with initial flights being operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). This marks the first official written confirmation regarding the airport’s operational status.
According to the CAA, both local and foreign airlines have expressed interest in launching flights to and from the New Gwadar International Airport, which is expected to boost the region’s connectivity and economic growth.
Located in the southwestern province of Balochistan, the airport is part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to enhance infrastructure and promote regional development, particularly in Gwadar, a city strategically located along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The start of operations will play a pivotal role in facilitating travel and trade, as well as fostering increased tourism and business opportunities in the area.
The new airport has been built to accommodate larger aircraft and international flights, with modern amenities and advanced security features, aiming to serve as a gateway for international travellers to the region.
With the opening of the airport, Gwadar is expected to see further improvements in transport and logistics, which are critical to Pakistan’s ambitions to position the city as a global trade and maritime hub.
Moreover, after a four-and-a-half-year hiatus, PIA resumed its operations to Europe with a flight departing for Paris.
The first flight, PK-749, took off from Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) on Friday at 12:10 pm, utilising a Boeing 777 (AP-BGK) aircraft. The flight carried 330 passengers and 14 crew members.