The Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, announced on Saturday that the New Gwadar International Airport will become operational from March 23rd, next year.
This was during a meeting to finalise the pricing model of fares for airports in Balochistan, in order to increase traffic volume and improve air-connectivity for the provinces.
The planning minister has directed authorities to ensure that the inauguration and shifting of flight operations from old Gwadar Airport to New Gwadar Airport takes place in March next year. “It will be a gift for the people of Balochistan on Pakistan Day,” he added.
The minister also announced plans to expand international flight operations from Quetta airport by August 14 this year in order to enhance Balochistan’s connectivity with the Middle East.
During the meeting, it was briefed that PIA is operating 30 flights weekly to three cities of Balochistan.
Advisor Maritime Affairs Jawad Khokhar, Additional Secretary Planning Dawood Muhammad, Secretary Aviation, Balochistan Chief Secretary, Pakistan International Airlines Chief Executive Officer, and Civil Aviation Authority Deputy Director General were in attendance.
It is worth mentioning that the airport is one of the major projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
