Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on Monday to discuss the operationalisation of the New Gwadar International Airport and its potential to boost regional prosperity.

The prime minister highlighted the airport as a testament to the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China, expressing gratitude for China's role in constructing the state-of-the-art facility.

"The New Gwadar International Airport will bring prosperity to the region and create significant employment opportunities," remarked PM Shehbaz.

He emphasised the need for a viable strategy to transform the airport into a busy transit hub and issued directives to enhance road connectivity between the airport and other parts of the country, particularly Balochistan. He also called for foolproof security arrangements to ensure safe operations.

Operational features and future plans

Officials provided a detailed briefing on the airport’s operations, revealing that it is the largest in Pakistan by area and capable of handling A-380 aircraft. The facility is expected to manage up to 400,000 passengers annually.

Key updates included:

Operational readiness: The Pakistan Airport Authority has issued an Aerodrome Certificate and Pakistan Customs has also notified this airport. Relevant authorities like Pakistan Airport Authority, Airport Security Force, Pakistan Customs, Anti-Narcotics Force, Federal Investigation Agency and Border Health Service have deployed personnel at the site.
Flight operations: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) currently operates flights between Karachi and Gwadar, with frequency set to increase to three weekly flights. Direct flights to Muscat will commence on January 10, 2025.
Discussions are underway with private airlines from Pakistan, China, Oman, and the UAE to expand domestic and international flight services.
Facilities development: Space has been allocated for essential infrastructure, including cold storage, warehouses, courier services, hotels, shopping malls, and banking facilities. All banks registered with the State Bank of Pakistan have been contacted regarding the establishment of bank branches and installation of ATM machines at the airport.
Feasibility studies for expanding road networks, such as the second phase of the East-Bay Expressway, are ongoing.

Strategic importance

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz reiterated the airport’s significance in enhancing regional trade and connectivity, describing it as a symbol of progress under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The meeting was attended by key federal ministers and senior officials, including Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif, Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who participated via video link.

The New Gwadar International Airport is poised to become a transformative hub, fostering economic growth and positioning Gwadar as a critical player in global trade and transit.