New Gwadar International Airport becomes operational

KARACHI: The long-awaited New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) is now operational, marking an important step for Pakistan’s aviation and economy.

The first commercial flight, PIA’s PK-503, landed at NGIA from Karachi with 46 passengers on board. Although it was delayed by 45 minutes, the flight was welcomed with a water cannon salute.

Defense and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif was present to greet the passengers. He thanked China for its support, calling the project a strong example of Pakistan-China cooperation. He also highlighted the airport’s role in boosting trade, tourism, and development in Balochistan.

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DG Airports Zeeshan Saeed praised Gwadar as an emerging economic hub and stressed the importance of the airport in improving regional connections.

The modern airport covers 4,300 acres and can handle 400,000 passengers annually. It has a 3.6-kilometre runway that can accommodate large planes like Boeing 747 and Airbus A380. The airport is also equipped with advanced air traffic control and navigation systems.

NGIA was built at a cost of $246 million with funding from Pakistan, China, and Oman. It is a key part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), designed to improve regional trade and tourism while creating jobs and attracting investment.

Construction started in November 2019 and was completed in November 2024. NGIA is Pakistan’s second greenfield airport and is capable of handling over 50 flights daily, with cargo and refuelling facilities.