Pakistan has plenty of international airports, but its biggest airport is currently under development in Gwadar. It’s been named the New Gwadar International Airport and is a part of China Pakistan Economic Corridor project.
Stretching over 4,300 acres (17 km²) of land, the New Gwadar International Airport is expected to play a crucial role in the development of the coastal city. The airport is being built as per the international standards and will have a cargo terminal with a handling capacity of 30,000 tonnes a year. The $246-million project was started in 2019 and is scheduled for completion in 2022.
The airport will be able to accommodate wide-body aircraft including Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-400. Narrow-body aircraft such as ATR-72 & Boeing 737-900 for domestic as well as international routes will also be facilitated. This will improve Pakistan’s connectivity with the world and is being seen as a catalyst in unlocking the potential of Gwadar port and free zone.
Advanced features of the airport include the construction of a single 3,658-meter runway. It will be 75 meters wide and will facilitate large aircraft. In addition to that, a 23-meter taxiway and 10.5-meter paved shoulders will be built on both sides of the runway. The airport will be equipped with an Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower, and rescue facilities will be available along with a fuel farm.
