KARACHI: The New Gwadar International Airport, an essential part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), officially began operations today with the arrival of its inaugural flight.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-503 landed at the airport at 11:14 am. The flight was warmly welcomed by Balochistan Governor Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif, and other officials.
The first flight, an ATR aircraft, received a traditional water salute upon landing. Although the flight was scheduled to depart Karachi at 9:14 am, it took off at 10 am after a 46-minute delay and reached Gwadar as planned.
The New Gwadar International Airport now replaces the old airport on flight tracking systems. Its location is marked on flight radar, showcasing its significance in Pakistan’s aviation sector.
Spanning 4,300 acres, the airport is the largest in Pakistan by area. It is situated 26 kilometers from Gwadar city in the Gurandani area. The airport features a single runway that measures 3,658 meters long and 75 meters wide. This runway is equipped to handle large aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747.
Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs50 billion, the airport was symbolically inaugurated on October 14, 2024, by former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Despite its earlier inauguration, regular flight operations officially commenced today.
The operationalization of the New Gwadar International Airport marks a significant milestone for Pakistan, enhancing connectivity and supporting the CPEC initiative.
