Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed confidence that the New Gwadar International Airport would be a catalyst for economic growth and job creation in the region.
Speaking during a meeting regarding the airport’s progress, the premier lauded China for its contribution to the project, calling it a testament to the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China.
PM Shehbaz directed relevant authorities to develop a comprehensive strategy to transform the airport into a major transit hub, boosting both international and domestic air traffic.
He also emphasized the importance of improving road connectivity to the airport, particularly enhancing links with the broader province.
In addition, he instructed security agencies to implement robust measures to ensure the safety and security of the airport's operations.
Officials briefed the meeting that flight services between Gwadar and Muscat are set to begin on January 10, 2025.
Ongoing talks with airlines from Pakistan, China, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are also expected to lead to the launch of more domestic and international flights.
Moreover, the frequency of flights between Karachi and Gwadar will soon increase to three per week, according to the meeting.
The New Gwadar International Airport, the country’s largest by land area, will be capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Airbus A-380 and is projected to handle 400,000 passengers annually.
The Pakistan Airports Authority has already issued the necessary Aerodrome Certificate for the airport, while the Pakistan Customs has officially recognized it as a designated port of entry.
The meeting also discussed the establishment of key facilities at the airport, including cold storage units, cargo warehouses, fuel farms, and commercial spaces like hotels and shopping malls. Plans are in progress for setting up branches of banks registered with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), as well as ATM machines, to provide services to travelers.
On the road infrastructure front, officials reported that the first phase of the East-Bay Expressway, designed to improve access to the airport, has been completed, with work on the second phase in the planning stages.
The meeting was attended by key ministers, including Khawaja Muhammad Asif (Defence and Aviation), Azam Nazeer Tarar (Law and Justice), Ahad Khan Cheema (Economic Affairs), and Muhammad Aurangzeb (Finance). Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as well as Minister for Privatization and Communication Abdul Aleem Khan, participated through video link.
