The first commercial flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) lands at Gwadar International Airport. The national carrier made a historic landing at the new Gwadar Airport on Monday, marking a major milestone in Pakistan’s aviation history.
PIA flight PK-503 departed from Karachi at 9:50 AM with 46 passengers on board and touched down at Gwadar’s state-of-the-art facility at 11:15 AM, marking the official commencement of operations at the newly inaugurated airport.
Defence and Aviation Minister Khwaja Asif welcomed the flight at the airport. He emphasized the significance of the airport in the development of Pakistan. “This new airport is not just an aviation hub; it’s a symbol of Gwadar’s emerging role as a critical point for trade and development,” said the minister during the welcome ceremony.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of PIA expressed pride in the historic flight. He called the addition of the Gwadar Airport in the network as a gateway for regional and global trade.
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The airport will enhance Pakistan’s connectivity, offering additional access to the UAE, Europe, the Far East, Central Asia, and Africa. The first-ever commercial flight of PIA at the Gwadar International Airport received the water salute in a welcoming gesture.
Read more: Gwadar International Airport to begin operations on January 20th
Covering an area of 4300 acres, Gwadar International Airport is the largest airport in Pakistan. It features a 12,000-foot-long and 246-meter-wide runway. It is capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Airbus A380. The airport will also support refueling and cargo operations for over 50 airlines daily.
According to CAA, both national and international airlines have expressed interest in operating flights for Gwadar.
According to the CPEC website, the airport’s construction created 3000 jobs. The groundbreaking ceremony of the airport was held by former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2019. Implementation of the project was handed over to the Aviation Division. The construction work began on October 31st, 2019.