Gwadar, Pakistan – The newly built Gwadar International Airport, hailed as Pakistan’s most expensive airport, remains eerily silent with no regular flights or passengers, raising concerns over its operational viability.
Constructed at an estimated cost of $246 million with Chinese assistance under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the airport was expected to be a game-changer for the region. However, despite its state-of-the-art infrastructure and strategic location, the facility is yet to witness commercial activity.
Aviation experts attribute the lack of operations to multiple factors, including underdeveloped infrastructure in Gwadar, security concerns, and limited airline interest. The absence of local demand and insufficient economic activity in the port city further contribute to the airport’s stagnation.
Local businesses and residents express disappointment, stating that the airport was envisioned as a gateway to economic prosperity but has failed to deliver on its promises. “We were expecting economic growth, but the airport has become a ghost facility,” a local trader remarked.
While authorities assure that efforts are underway to attract airlines and enhance connectivity, critics argue that without significant development in Gwadar, the airport will remain a billion-dollar white elephant.
Will Gwadar Airport finally take off, or will it remain a symbol of unfulfilled potential? Only time will tell.
