The newly built Gwadar International Airport will begin flights to Muscat from January 10, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office announced on Monday, following delays caused by security concerns.
The $200 million facility, designed to serve domestic and international flights, is among the largest airports in Pakistan. With the capacity to accommodate Airbus A380 aircraft, it is expected to serve 4 million passengers annually, according to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA).
A security review in August, prompted by militant attacks in Balochistan, delayed the airport’s opening. In a meeting on Monday, the prime minister directed officials to establish the airport as a major transit hub and improve road connectivity with Balochistan.
“Flights from Gwadar to Muscat will start from January 10 next year,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. The government is also in talks with private carriers from China, Oman and the United Arab Emirates to expand international routes.
The airport is part of China’s $65 billion investment in Pakistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a key component of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative. Nearby, a deep-water port, developed in partnership with Pakistan, Oman and China, is nearing completion.
Gwadar Airport includes cold storage, cargo facilities and banking services through the State Bank of Pakistan. Security agencies, including the Airport Security Force and the Federal Investigation Agency, have been deployed to beef up security.
Militant groups in Balochistan, where Gwadar is located, have attacked Chinese investments and personnel in the past, viewing them as foreign exploitation of the resource-rich region. Recent attacks, including a suicide bombing in Karachi that killed two Chinese workers, have raised tensions.
Beijing has reportedly urged Islamabad to allow Chinese security personnel on the ground, a move Pakistan has resisted. Sharif emphasized the importance of strict security measures at the airport, saying it symbolizes the strong partnership between the two countries.
“Gwadar International Airport reflects the long-standing friendship between China and Pakistan,” he said, thanking Beijing for building the modern facility.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and other senior officials participated in the meeting. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Privatization Minister Abdul Aleem Khan participated via video link.
