PIA's First Flights to New Gwadar Airport Announced

The New Gwadar International Airport is poised to commence operations on January 1, 2025, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s aviation landscape. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will launch special inaugural flights from Karachi and Islamabad, with the Karachi flight operated by an ATR aircraft and the Islamabad flight by an Airbus 320. Both flights will receive a ceremonial water salute upon arrival.

Federal Defense and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif will officiate the inaugural ceremony. Constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 55 billion, the airport is a critical project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Its state-of-the-art runway is designed to accommodate large aircraft such as the Airbus A380.

Although flight operations were briefly suspended in February 2024 due to heavy rainfall, the airport is now fully equipped to handle both domestic and international flights, reaffirming its readiness for a new era of connectivity and growth.