The Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan (CAA) has announced that the new Gwadar International Airport will officially come into operation 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 has issued a notification confirming that the airport will be operational from January 20, with the first flights being operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). This is the first official written confirmation regarding the operational status of the airport.
According to CAA, 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 of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The start of operations will play a pivotal role in facilitating travel and trade, as well as fostering increased tourism and business opportunities in the region.
The new airport was built to accommodate larger aircraft and international flights, with modern equipment 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 key to Pakistan’s ambitions to position the city as a global trade and maritime hub.
Furthermore, after four and a half years of shutdown, PIA has resumed its operations to Europe with a flight from Paris.
The first flight, PK-749, took off from Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) at 12:10 p.m. on Friday, aboard a Boeing 777 (AP-BGK). The flight carried 330 passengers and 14 crew members.
