Pakistan’s $240m Gwadar airport stands ready—But no flights, no passengers

Pakistan’s newest airport in Gwadar, fully funded by China at a cost of $240 million, remains unused months after its completion in October 2024.
Spread over 4,300 acres of land. the airport is Pakistan's largest international airport and was officially opened on January 20 this year. Work started on Gwadar airport in 2019.
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) PK 503 aircraft was the first commercial flight to arrive at the new airport after its inauguration carrying commercial passengers and high-ranking officials.

However, the airport, designed to handle 400,000 passengers annually, has no scheduled flights.

The New

Gwadar International Airport

is part of the

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

(CPEC), a multi-billion dollar project aimed at linking China’s Xinjiang province with the Arabian Sea. While officials have called it a major development, many in Gwadar say they see little benefit.
Gwadar, located in Pakistan's

Balochistan province

, lacks basic infrastructure such as a stable electricity supply and clean water.
'Airport built for China, not locals'
"This airport is not for Pakistan or Gwadar," Azeem Khalid, an expert in Pakistan-China relations was quoted as saying by the news agency Associated Press (AP). "It is for China, so they can have secure access for their citizens to Gwadar and Balochistan."
The airport’s construction comes amid ongoing security challenges in Balochistan. Separatist groups in the province oppose what they call exploitation of local resources, targeting both Pakistani security forces and Chinese workers.
Pakistan has increased its military presence in Gwadar to protect Chinese investments, leading to more checkpoints and restrictions on movement. Roads are often closed to ensure the safety of Chinese workers and high-ranking officials.
"Nobody used to ask where we are going, what we are doing, and what is your name," 76-year-old Gwadar resident Khuda Bakhsh Hashim was quoted as saying by the AP. "We are asked to prove our identity, who we are, where we have come from. We are residents. Those who ask should identify themselves as to who they are."
Authorities claim CPEC has created 2,000 jobs, but there is no clarity on whether these positions were given to local Baloch residents or people from other parts of Pakistan.

No direct flight to Quetta or Islamabad
Gwadar remains largely disconnected, with only one commercial flight route operating three times a week to Karachi. There are no direct flights to Quetta, the provincial capital, or Islamabad.

Militancy in Balochistan

Militancy in Balochistan has increased in recent years, with attacks rising after 2021. Groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army have carried out multiple attacks, particularly after the Pakistani Taliban ended a ceasefire in 2022.

Airport inauguration delayed due to security concerns

Earlier, the airport’s opening was postponed due to security risks. Authorities feared that nearby mountains could be used to launch attacks. Instead, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang held a virtual inauguration. The first flight landed without media or public presence.
Abdul Ghafoor Hoth, a local leader from the Balochistan Awami Party, said no local residents were hired to work at the airport.
"Not a single resident of Gwadar was hired to work at the airport, not even as a watchman," he was quoted by AP.
Hoth had led protests in December demanding better living conditions in Gwadar. The demonstrations lasted 47 days before authorities promised to address local concerns, including improved access to water and electricity. Since then, no progress has been made on these commitments.