Quetta, Jan 21 (FN Agency) Pakistan’s Gwadar International Airport, a key project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saw its first official flight on Monday when a PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) carrier landed at the China-built airport after the airport was inaugurated and rendered fully operational. The aircraft- Flight PK-503, departed from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport at 9:15 am, and “touched down at the state-of-the-art Gwadar facility at 11:15 am, carrying 46 passengers”, according to an official of the PAA (Pakistan Airport Authority), as reported by Dawn.Defence and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif, along with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, welcomed the passengers.
“Addressing the gathering, Minister Khawaja Asif emphasised the strategic importance of the New Gwadar International Airport in driving economic growth, fostering regional tourism, and strengthening international connectivity,” the official’s statement added. The inaugural flight carried an entourage of several high-ranking officials from the aviation division alongside regular passengers. Welcomed with a ceremonial water-cannon salute, the operationalisation of the new airport is considered an event of historical significance in the country’s aviation sector, particularly for enhancing connectivity and boosting development in the region.Constructed with a $230m grant from the Chinese government, the new Gwadar Airport features a 3,648-metre runway and a 14,000-square-metre passenger terminal equipped with auxiliary facilities, including air traffic control, community hospital and utility services, along with advanced air traffic control systems, navigational aids, and security features.