The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced that the new Gwadar International Airport will officially start operations from January 20. The airport, a key development for the region, is expected to become a hub for both domestic and international flights, Express News reported. The CAA issued a notice confirming that the airport will be operational from January 20, with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operating the first flights. This is the first official written confirmation of the operational status of the airport. According to the CAA, local and foreign airlines have shown interest in starting flights to and from the New Gwadar International Airport, which should boost the region’s connectivity and economic growth. Located in the southwestern province of Balochistan, the airport is part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to strengthen infrastructure and promote regional development, particularly in Gwadar, a city strategically located along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The launch will play a key role in facilitating travel and trade as well as supporting increased tourism and business opportunities in the area. The new airport was built to accommodate larger aircraft and international flights, with modern facilities and advanced security features, to serve as a gateway for international travelers to the region. With the opening of the airport, Gwadar is expected to see further improvements in transport and logistics, which are crucial to Pakistan’s ambitions to position the city as a global trade and maritime hub. Moreover, after a break of four and a half years, PIA resumed its operations in Europe with a flight to Paris. The first flight, PK-749, took off from Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) at 12:10 on Friday and used a Boeing 777 (AP-BGK). There were 330 passengers and 14 crew members on board.
