Minister Urges Swift Action on Commercialization of Gwadar Airport

CT Report

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday criticized the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) over delays in finalizing a comprehensive commercialization plan for the recently inaugurated New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA). 

Chairing a high-level meeting, Iqbal emphasized the urgency of positioning Gwadar as a hub for international airlines, warning that failure to attract carriers within six months would diminish the airport’s long-term prospects. To incentivize long-haul flights from regions like South Africa and Australia, he proposed offering attractive rates for five years and leveraging the airport for technical landings. 

Funded through a $230 million grant from China, NGIA features a 3,648-meter-long runway and a passenger terminal spanning 14,000 square meters. The airport also includes auxiliary facilities such as a police station, security checkpoints, garages, warehouses, utility services, air traffic control systems, a community hospital, a school, and residential areas. 

Additional Director General of PAA Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed assured the minister that operational clearance would be granted by December. Project Director NGIA Faiz Ullah Khattak and PCAA Director General of Commercial Abdul Basit briefed the meeting on ongoing initiatives, including government department allotments and tenders for warehouses. 

However, Iqbal expressed frustration over the two-year delay in planning for the airport’s commercialization. He directed officials to expedite efforts to attract airlines, develop air cargo facilities, and foster international business partnerships. 

He criticized the lack of pre-launch market analysis, stressing the need to position NGIA as a cost-effective alternative for international airlines currently using Oman and Dubai for technical landings. The minister also urged officials to engage global logistics companies, such as DHL and FedEx, to prioritize cargo operations. 

NGIA is equipped to handle 400,000 passengers annually, with plans to expand capacity to 1.6 million. Iqbal underscored the importance of enhancing the airport's appeal with commercial amenities, including restaurants, duty-free shops, and recreational facilities. Drawing inspiration from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport, which features a golf course between runways, he suggested innovative uses for unused airport land to attract travelers and businesses. 

The minister set a three-week deadline for PAA officials to present a detailed commercialization strategy with clear timelines and stakeholder engagement plans. He called for immediate and collaborative action to establish NGIA as a regional and global connectivity hub, aligning with Gwadar’s economic development goals and Pakistan’s broader growth ambitions.