Gwadar lies at the heart of CPEC. For the port city to function efficiently there is a need for an international airport. This is why one of the major CPEC projects includes the construction of New Gwadar International Airport that will be worth $246 million.
The new airport is located in Gurandani, just 26 km northeast of Gwadar port city. The foundation stone of this project was laid down on 29 March 2019 with the completion date set for 2022.
Currently, fast-track developments are underway and construction of the airport has already entered its second phase. The airport is designed per the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (CIAO). It will be able to accommodate large aircraft in the likes of ATR 72, Airbus (A-300), Boeing (B-737), and Boeing (B-747). Once completed, it will play a significant role in connecting the fast-rising Gwadar city with the rest of the world for trade.
New Gwadar International Airport is one of the Early Harvest Projects of CPEC. It is free from all sorts of debt burden and loan obligations because the Chinese government is sponsoring the whole project. It will play a crucial role in the development of Gwadar in particular and Balochistan in general.
