International flight operations officially commenced at the New Gwadar International Airport today, marking a significant milestone in the region’s connectivity. The first flight, PK 197 of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), departed for Muscat at 9:41 AM. The same ATR aircraft, PK 198, will return from Muscat to Gwadar later in the afternoon.
According to airport sources, the aircraft had previously arrived in Gwadar as PK 503 from Karachi earlier this morning. In the afternoon, it will operate the return flight PK 504 from Gwadar to Karachi at 2:00 PM.
Flight operations at the New Gwadar International Airport officially began on January 20. Currently, only PIA flights are operating at the airport. Although the airport is capable of accommodating larger aircraft such as Airbus and Boeing, PIA is using ATR aircraft for the time being due to the relatively low volume of passengers. Once passenger numbers increase, Airbus aircraft will be introduced for these routes.
The inauguration of the New Gwadar International Airport was marked by a special ceremony attended by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, who had previously launched the airport in December. The first flight from Islamabad to Gwadar was also welcomed with a water salute.
A PIA spokesperson confirmed that flight PK 503, which departed from Karachi at 9:50 AM with 46 passengers on board, was the first commercial flight to land at the New Gwadar International Airport. The aircraft was greeted with a water salute upon arrival. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, along with senior officials, welcomed the passengers at the airport.
Although there was a slight delay in PK 503’s departure—leaving Karachi at 10:00 AM instead of the scheduled 9:15 AM—the flight arrived in Gwadar at 11:15 AM, marking the beginning of regular commercial services at the airport.
The New Gwadar International Airport, Pakistan’s second Greenfield airport, is designed to accommodate large aircraft like the Airbus A380. Construction of the airport began in 2019, with the project completed in November 2024. A total of 50 billion rupees, including a Chinese grant, were invested in the airport, which is expected to handle up to four million passengers annually. With a large runway and state-of-the-art terminal facilities, the airport is expected to play a key role in boosting regional trade and tourism.
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) confirming the airport’s operational status from January 20, 2025. At present, PIA is the only airline operating flights, but both domestic and international carriers have expressed interest in utilizing the new facility.
The government has officially declared Gwadar as an international airport, allowing both outbound international flights and incoming foreign passengers. The Federal Board of Revenue has issued two notifications recognizing the airport’s status.
The New Gwadar International Airport was constructed with an investment of $246 million from China and is expected to provide significant benefits for trade, tourism, and regional development. The airport will feature a full range of services, including cargo facilities, cold storage, warehouses, courier services, and passenger amenities such as hotels and shopping malls.
PIA plans to expand its operations with additional flights between Karachi and Gwadar, with three weekly flights scheduled. International flights to Muscat will also begin on January 10, 2025. Discussions are ongoing with airlines from Pakistan, China, Oman, and the UAE to increase both domestic and international operations from the airport.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has hailed the New Gwadar International Airport as a symbol of the strong partnership between Pakistan and China. During a recent meeting, he expressed gratitude for China’s support in constructing the airport to international standards. The Prime Minister emphasized that the airport would create new economic opportunities for the region and improve connectivity, making Gwadar a key commercial hub.
Prime Minister Sharif also directed improvements to road access, particularly the East Bay Expressway, which has already seen the completion of its first phase to improve access to the airport. Additionally, security and operational arrangements, including staff deployment from various agencies, have been finalized.
The first phase of the airport’s facilities includes extensive cargo and logistics infrastructure, which will further enhance the region’s economic potential. With the strategic location of Gwadar, the airport is expected to become a vital transit point for both passenger travel and the shipment of goods, marking the beginning of a new era in the region’s development.
