Skardu airport set to operate international flights: Ghulam Sarwar

Published August 7, 2021
A file photo of Federal Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan. — dawnNewsTV/File
A file photo of Federal Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan. — dawnNewsTV/File

GILGIT: Federal aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan has said international flights will be operated from the Skardu airport to boost tourism and trade activities in Gilgit-Baltistan.

He said Skardu airport would have all-weather and nighttime flight operations.

Talking to Dawn on Friday, he said measures were being taken to exploit tourism potential in GB under the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Mr Sarwar said located at an altitude of over 7,000 feet, the Skardu airport was listed among the world's highest altitude airports.

He said first time flights had started from Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Sialkot and Faisalabad to Skardu.

The aviation minister claimed that Skardu airport had become one of the busiest airports in Pakistan.

Mr Sarwar said a notification would be issued declaring Skardu airport as the international airport from next month.

He said the airport's runway was being expanded for wide-body aircraft landing.

"International chartered flights will be allowed to Skardu airport," he added.

Besides, he said nights from Lahore to Gilgit had also been started, and the number of daily flights from Islamabad had increased.

Ghulam Sarwar said a plan was afoot to expand the Gilgit airport, adding options were being explored to construct a new airport in Gilgit.

He said a study was also being conducted to construct a bridge for landing of heavy aircraft at the Gilgit airport.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...