Pakistan 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 domestic and international flights, Express News reported.
The CAA issued a notification confirming that the airport will be operational from January 20, with the initial flights to be operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). This is the first official written confirmation of 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 connectivity and economic growth in the region.
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 key role in facilitating travel and trade, as well as encouraging 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, with the aim of serving as a gateway for international travelers to the region.
With the opening of the airport, Gwadar is expected to see further improvements in transportation and logistics, which are critical to Pakistan’s ambitions to position the city as a global maritime and trade hub.
Additionally, after a four-and-a-half-year hiatus, PIA resumed operations in Europe with a flight to Paris.
The first flight, PK-749, took off from Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) on Friday at 12:10 pm, using a Boeing 777 aircraft (AP-BGK). The flight was carrying 330 passengers and 14 crew members.
