The New Gwadar International Airport, co-constructed by China Railway Engineering Co., Ltd., officially commenced operation on January 20.
Its first flight, PIA503 operated by Pakistan International Airlines, arrived at the newly inaugurated airport from Karachi, and was greeted with a traditional water salute upon landing.
The airport’s construction began in October 2019, with the finished article handed over to Pakistani authorities last year. It is a 4F-grade facility, with a terminal building covering approximately 14,300 square meters. Its runway is 3,658 meters in length and 75 meters in width, while the apron contains five stands, capable of accommodating the world’s largest civil aircraft.
China Railway Beijing Engineering Group Co., Ltd. was primarily responsible for constructing the airfield area of the airport, including a new runway, a vertical taxiway, the apron, service roads, patrol roads, drainage systems, perimeter fencing and visual navigation systems.
As a key project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the New Gwadar International Airport represents a significant step toward enhancing connectivity within Pakistan and across the region. It also stands as a modern landmark in the Gwadar area, laying a solid foundation for the development of the port and city.
