Pakistan’s newly constructed Gwadar International Airport (GIA) is set to commence international operations with flights to Muscat starting on January 10, 2025. The announcement, made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office on Monday, marks a significant milestone for the $200-million Chinese-funded project, which has faced delays due to security concerns in Balochistan.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
Designed to accommodate both domestic and international flights, GIA is one of Pakistan’s largest airports. Equipped to handle Airbus A380 aircraft, the facility boasts the capacity to manage up to 4 million passengers annually. According to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), the airport includes cutting-edge features such as cargo facilities, cold storage, banking services, and provisions for large-scale transit.
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Security Challenges and Delays
The airport’s operational launch was delayed due to a security review following militant attacks in Balochistan in August. The region has long been plagued by separatist insurgencies, with militants frequently targeting Chinese investments under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Recent attacks, including a suicide bombing in Karachi that killed two Chinese workers, have intensified tensions between Beijing and Islamabad over safety concerns.
In response, Pakistan has deployed personnel from various security agencies, including the Airports Security Force (ASF), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), to safeguard operations. Beijing has urged Pakistan to allow Chinese security forces on the ground, a demand that Islamabad has resisted.
Economic and Strategic Significance
Gwadar International Airport is a flagship project under CPEC, a critical component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Built with $246 million in Chinese assistance, the airport represents the growing strategic partnership between China and Pakistan. Nearby, a deep-water port—a joint venture involving Pakistan, Oman, and China—is nearing completion, further cementing Gwadar’s role as a vital hub for regional trade and logistics.
Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the airport’s potential to transform Gwadar into a major transit hub, urging improvements in road connectivity to Balochistan and other regions. The East-Bay Expressway, linking the airport to the port and key locations, is partially completed, with feasibility studies underway for its next phase.
Expanding Connectivity
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plans to increase flights between Karachi and Gwadar to three times a week. Discussions are also ongoing with private carriers from China, Oman, and the UAE to expand international routes. This aligns with the government’s strategy to establish Gwadar as a pivotal node for regional and global connectivity.
Strengthening the China-Pakistan Friendship
Prime Minister Sharif hailed GIA as a symbol of the enduring China-Pakistan friendship. “Gwadar International Airport reflects the strong partnership between the two countries,” he said, expressing gratitude to Beijing for its support in building a modern facility. The airport is expected to attract significant foreign investment and bolster economic growth in the region.
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As flights to Muscat begin in January, Gwadar International Airport is poised to become a gateway to international markets, driving economic development and regional integration. Despite challenges, the facility highlights Pakistan’s ambitions to establish Gwadar as a global trade hub while strengthening ties with China.