The inauguration of the New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) is expected to be held on March 23, 2023.
During the visit of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to Beijing last week, he requested China to complete the development work on New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) by March next year, according to an official source.
The NGIA is expected to cost $230 million, with grants provided by the Chinese government. The groundbreaking ceremony of the project was held in March 2019 and was scheduled to be completed in March 2023. But, the project has fallen six months behind schedule and is now scheduled to be completed in September 2023.
The sources further informed that the incumbent government wants Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to inaugurate the airport on March 23, next year.
In addition, the source revealed that the Chinese government has yet to provide feedback for the completion of the project by March next year. Pakistan is looking forward to the inauguration of the airport during the tenure of the coalition government in office, however, lets see how the Chinese respond to the request, the source maintained.
It is to be mentioned here that the development of the airport is one of the parts of the $56 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) development, which is the foundation of Chinas One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.
In line with the official data of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Airport is being constructed covering an area of 4,300 acres and will be one of the largest in Pakistan and will also become the countrys second airport with the capability to handle A380 aircraft.
The sources noted that the new Gwadar International Airport (NGIA), will be capable of handling a combination of Airbus, (A-300), ATR 72, Boeing (B-737), and Boeing (B-747) for domestic as well international routes.