Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced that the New Gwadar International Airport will officially start its operations from January 20.
The airport, an important development for the region, is expected to become a hub for both domestic and international flights, Express News reported.
The CAA issued a statement confirming that the airport will be operational from January 20, with the first flights operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). This marks the first official written confirmation of the airport’s operational status.
According to the CAA, both local and foreign airlines have expressed interest in starting 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 improve 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 central role in facilitating travel and trade, as well as promoting increased tourism and business opportunities in the area.
The new airport is built to accommodate larger aircraft and international flights with modern amenities and advanced security features aimed at serving as a gateway for international travelers to the region.
With the opening of the airport, Gwadar is expected to see further improvements in transport and logistics, which are vital to Pakistan’s ambitions to position the city as a global trade and maritime hub.
Furthermore, after a break of four and a half years, 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 with a Boeing 777 (AP-BGK) aircraft. The plane had 330 passengers and 14 crew members.
