According to recent news reports, the new Gwadar airport in Pakistan is set to begin international flights to Muscat, Oman, on January 10, 2025. This marks a significant step in the development of the airport and its role in regional connectivity.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed optimism on Monday about the potential of the newly constructed Gwadar International Airport to bring prosperity to the region and generate job opportunities for the youth. The new Gwadar airport will have its first international flight to Muscat on Jan 10th, 2025.
During a meeting, the Prime Minister thanked China for building the state-of-the-art airport. He also calls it a testament to the strong friendship between Pakistan and China. He emphasized the importance of transforming the airport into a key transit hub and directed officials to improve road connectivity. Especially with Balochistan while ensuring robust security measures.
The Gwadar International Airport, funded by China under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is the largest airport in Pakistan by area. Built at a cost of approximately $240 million, the facility can handle large aircraft, including the Airbus A380. It is designed to serve 400,000 passengers annually, with plans to increase flight operations from both domestic and international carriers.
Flights from Gwadar to Muscat will begin on January 10, 2025. Along with discussions ongoing to introduce more routes with airlines from Pakistan, China, Oman, and the UAE. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will also increase its weekly flights between Karachi and Gwadar from the current schedule.
The airport includes modern facilities such as cold storage, cargo warehouses, fuel farms, and banking services. Security personnel from agencies like the Airports Security Force (ASF) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have already been deployed to ensure safety.
The first phase of the East Bay Expressway, connecting the airport to other regions, has been completed. Moreover, the work on the second phase is underway rapidly.
The PM reiterated the significance of the Gwadar Airport as a symbol of Pakistan-China friendship and step toward economic growth.
