Flights from Gwadar to Muscat would begin on January 10, 2025, officials told Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday as he presided over a meeting over the new international airport built in Balochistan’s port city.

In October this year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang virtually inaugurated the Beijing-funded Gwadar International Airport at a ceremony in Islamabad.

“It is a critical step for realising the vision of regional connectivity and whatever we have achieved in the last many years, demonstrated the strength of Pakistan-China friendship,” he said after unveiling the plaque of the airport with his Pakistani counterpart on October 15.

The airport was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs54.98 billion (approximately $240 million). It features runways built to international standards.

The new airport is located 26km northeast of the existing Gwadar airport, and spans 3,000 acres of land provided by the government of Pakistan. It is the second greenfield airport in the country, following the new Islamabad Airport.

The airport would be able to handle a variety of aircraft, including the ATR 72, Airbus A-300, Boeing 737, and Boeing 747, for both domestic and international flights.

Talks with regard to starting the domestic and international flight operations by the airlines of Pakistan, China, Oman and the United Arab Emirates from Gwadar were under way, officials said during the meeting held in Islamabad.

Moreover, the duration of Pakistan International Airlines’ flight operations between Karachi and Gwadar will soon be increased to three times per week.

The Gwadar Airport was the largest airport in the country in terms of area which would be capable of handling A-380 airplanes whereas 400,000 people would travel through the airport annually, they added.

The Pakistan Airport Authority has already issued the aerodrome certificate to the new airport whereas the Customs has also notified it.

The staff of various departments such as Pakistan Airport Authority, Airport Security Force, Pakistan Customs, Anti Narcotics Force, Federal Investigation Agency, and Border Health Service has been deputed at the airport, according to the officials.

The land has also been allocated for facilities of cold storage, warehouses, courier services, cargo shades, technical ground support gadgets, fuel farms, hotels and shopping malls at the airport, the meeting was informed.

All the banks registered with the State Bank of Pakistan were also in contact with regard to the establishment of bank branches and ATM machines at the airport, they added.

According to them, the first part of East-Bay Expressway, meant to improve road link with the airport had been completed while the feasibility of the second part was being prepared.

Also, read this

Turkmenistan set to ‘sign agreement’ with Pakistan for access to Gwadar port

On visit to Gwadar, Pakistan’s envoy to China sees ‘glass half-full’

PM Shehbaz reiterates resolve to develop Gwadar port as ‘one of best in world’

“The New Gwadar International Airport will bring prosperity to the area and it will also create new job opportunities,” PM Shehbaz said.

While extending gratitude to China for construction, the prime minister said the airport was an “example of Pakistan-China great friendship.”

The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to chalk out a strategy to make the “new airport a busy transit point.” He also called for improvement of the road system linking the New Gwadar International Airport with other areas of the country, especially the province.

PM Shehbaz also ordered the assurance of foolproof security arrangements for the new airport.