ISLAMABAD: The New Gwadar International Airport in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province achieved a significant milestone as it received its first Airbus on Tuesday, the airport’s manager said.
The special flight from the United Arab Emirates landed at the airport, marking the first-ever landing of an Airbus in Gwadar’s history, Khalid Kakar, the airport’s manager told Xinhua.
The China-aided airport is a state-of-the-art 4F-grade facility capable of accommodating the world’s largest civil aircraft. Its 3,658-meter-long, 75-meter-wide runway, built with specialized foundation treatment, sets a new benchmark in engineering standards.
“The airport officially commenced operations on Jan. 20, and since then, we have received multiple small aircraft, but it is the first time when an Airbus successfully landed here, demonstrating the airport’s exceptional capacity to accommodate large aircraft,” Kakar said.
“We are well-equipped to welcome large passenger, cargo, and special flights, strengthening Gwadar’s connectivity with international destinations,” he added.
The airport is a vital component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is expected to serve as a gateway to promote regional trade and economic development.
