Islamabad, Dec 30: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the significant economic benefits expected from the New Gwadar International Airport, stating it will promote prosperity and create job opportunities in the region. During a recent meeting, he announced that flights from Gwadar to Muscat will commence on January 10, 2025, with ongoing discussions for domestic and international flight operations by airlines from Pakistan, China, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
The prime minister expressed gratitude to China for constructing the airport, highlighting it as a testament to the strong friendship between Pakistan and China. He directed relevant authorities to develop strategies to establish the airport as a busy transit hub and called for improvements in the road infrastructure connecting the airport to other regions, particularly within the province.
Security arrangements for the new airport were also prioritized in the meeting. Additionally, the frequency of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights between Karachi and Gwadar is set to increase to three times per week.
Notably, the New Gwadar International Airport is the largest in Pakistan by area and is designed to accommodate A-380 airplanes, with an annual capacity to handle 400,000 passengers. The Pakistan Airport Authority has issued the Aerodrome Certificate for the airport, and the Pakistan Customs has officially notified it.
Staff from various departments, including the Airport Security Force, Pakistan Customs, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), have already been assigned to the airport. Plans are in place for additional facilities such as cold storage, warehouses, cargo areas, hotels, and shopping malls.
The first phase of the East-Bay Expressway, aimed at enhancing road connectivity to the airport, has been completed, and preparations for the second phase are underway. The meeting included key officials from various ministries, highlighting a coordinated effort to ensure the airport’s success and operational readiness.
