Pakistan’s largest airport, located in the southwestern province of Balochistan and funded by China, has officially commenced operations, according to officials on Monday, January 20, 2025.
The Gwadar International Airport, situated in the coastal city of Gwadar, lies in a region that has long been affected by an insurgency led by separatists seeking greater autonomy or independence.
The inaugural ceremony for the airport was attended by Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif and Chinese officials. The event featured the arrival of the first Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Karachi, marking the beginning of operations.
This milestone follows a virtual inauguration ceremony conducted months earlier by Chinese Premier Li Qiang and former Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The new airport boasts an annual passenger handling capacity of 400,000 travelers.
China has made significant investments in Gwadar as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), spearheaded by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The $230 million Gwadar International Airport is a key component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which aims to connect China directly to Arabian Sea shipping routes through Pakistan. Gwadar’s development also includes a deep-sea port and other infrastructure to bolster global trade.
Construction of the airport began in 2019 but faced delays due to increased attacks on Chinese nationals and infrastructure projects by militant and separatist groups in Balochistan. Despite these challenges, the airport is now operational and is expected to drive economic growth, attract foreign investments, and contribute to the development of Balochistan.
During the ceremony, Defence Minister Asif expressed gratitude to China for its support, emphasizing the airport’s potential to transform the region’s economy and bring prosperity to the area. However, the project has faced criticism from ethnic Baloch groups, who claim that local resources are being exploited without benefitting the province’s residents.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning and Development, the airport can accommodate a variety of aircraft, including ATR 72, Airbus A300, Boeing 737, and Boeing 747 models, for both domestic and international flights. Covering an area of 4,300 acres, Gwadar International Airport is now the largest airport in Pakistan in terms of land area, as confirmed by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority.
As the airport becomes fully functional, it is anticipated to play a crucial role in enhancing trade and connectivity for both Pakistan and China, while simultaneously addressing the ongoing challenges in the region.
