Gwadar Airport connects Pakistan to Muscat with its inaugural international flight
KARACHI: International flight operations officially commenced from the New Gwadar International Airport as Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) first flight, PK-197, departed for Muscat at 9:41 AM today.
The same ATR aircraft will return later in the afternoon as flight PK-198.
The New Gwadar International Airport, a flagship project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), became fully operational on January 20, 2025. While equipped to handle large Airbus and Boeing aircraft, ATR planes are currently being used on the Gwadar route due to low passenger demand.
PIA has introduced one weekly international flight to Muscat from the New Gwadar International Airport. On its inaugural flight, 39 passengers departed, with senior PIA officials present to bid them farewell.
The airport’s first commercial flight, PK-503, was welcomed with a water cannon salute on Monday. The ceremony was attended by Defence and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif, Balochistan Governor Jafar Khan Mandokhel, and Chief Minister Sarfaraz Ahmad Bugti.
Spanning 4,300 acres, the New Gwadar International Airport is Pakistan’s largest by area and is located 26 kilometers from Gwadar city in the Gurandani area. Its 3,658-meter-long runway can accommodate large aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747.
Constructed at a cost of $246 million, co-financed by Pakistan, China, and Oman, the airport features state-of-the-art air traffic control systems, navigational aids, and security features. It has the capacity to handle 400,000 passengers annually and provides modern amenities for travelers.
With the launch of international flights, the New Gwadar International Airport is expected to serve as a vital link connecting Pakistan to regional and global hubs.