ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have taken their relationship to a new level as the new Gwadar International Airport becomes fully operational. The first flight from Karachi, PK 503, landed at the airport.
The flight, which carried 46 passengers, was given a special welcome with a water cannon salute on the runway. Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, the Governor and Chief Minister of Balochistan were present to welcome the first commercial flight and handed flowers to the passengers.
According to a PIA spokesperson, PK 503 took off from Karachi at 9:50 AM. The new airport has a 3.6-kilometer long runway, suitable for large aircraft like Airbus and Boeing. Spread over 4300 acres, Gwadar Airport is Pakistan’s largest airport, featuring a 12,000-foot-long and 246-meter-wide runway.
Read More: KPK govt to establish new police style force at the district level
It is capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Airbus A380. The airport will support refueling and cargo operations for over 50 airlines daily. The new airport will enhance Pakistan’s connectivity, offering additional access to the UAE, Europe, the Far East, Central Asia, and Africa.
The airport is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which has seen China pledge over $65 billion for infrastructure, energy, and other projects in Pakistan. CPEC is also developing a deep-water port close to the new airport, a joint venture between Pakistan, Oman, and China, which is near completion.
Read More: Pakistan to issue Panda Bond by June this Year, says finance minister
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office recently mentioned that the Gwadar airport would handle A-380 aircraft and accommodate 4 million passengers annually. The airport will feature various facilities, including cold storage, cargo sheds, hotels, shopping malls, and banking services through the State Bank of Pakistan.
PIA plans to increase flights between Karachi and Gwadar to three times a week. Discussions are also underway with private airlines and carriers from China, Oman, and the UAE to launch both domestic and international services.
Prime Minister Sharif emphasized that the Gwadar International Airport symbolizes the strong China-Pakistan friendship, thanking China for constructing an airport with international standards and modern facilities.
