G-B seeks Boeing-compatible airport in Gilgit

Chief minister calls for international-standard airport to boost tourism and improve year-round connectivity

GILGIT:

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar asked the federal government to construct a modern Boeing-compatible airport in Gilgit to "dramatically improve" connectivity, tourism and economic development in the mountainous region.

In a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the chief minister pointed to a sharp contrast in the number of passengers at the two major airports in the region – Gilgit and Skardu. Between March and June 2026, he said Skardu Airport handled more than 50,000 passengers, while Gilgit Airport managed only around 4,000.

The existing Gilgit Airport's short runway - approximately 1,646 metres - along with limited capacity and frequent weather disruptions, restricts operations to smaller ATR aircraft. This, the chief minister argued, is holding back the region's potential.

"Even after 78 years, we have not been able to remove the uncertainty surrounding travel to G-B," Chief Minister Azar had said in his inaugural address, stressing that poor air connectivity continued to limit tourism despite the region's world-class natural attractions. Gilgit-Baltistan, known as the "Roof of the World," features towering peaks of the Karakoram range and sits at the historic junction of three former empires. Enhanced air links are viewed as critical to unlocking its tourism potential, long constrained by infrastructure challenges.

Skardu International Airport, which has seen significant upgrades, serves as a positive example. Federal efforts, including a recent Rs900 million expansion project at Skardu, underscore growing investment in the region's aviation sector.

Amjad Hussain Azar, sworn in as the chief minister on July 6, 2026, has prioritised infrastructure and tourism since taking office. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured the new G-B government of full federal support following a congratulatory call.

A new international-standard airport capable of handling larger aircraft is expected to transform access to the region, attract more visitors and stimulate investment, addressing long-standing demands from local communities.

The Gilgit-Baltistan government has offered to provide land for the project and pledged full cooperation under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The Prime Minister's office has yet to issue a formal response, but the proposal aligns with federal government's focus on Gilgit-Baltistan's development.