In the heart of Gwadar, Pakistan’s newest aviation project stands completed—a grand international airport built with an investment of Rs 2079 crore ($240 million), entirely funded by China.

Yet, despite its state-of-the-art infrastructure and the promise of boosting regional connectivity, this airport remains eerily silent. No commercial flights have landed, no passengers have checked in, and no one knows when it will truly take off.

A Mega Project with No Takeoff

The New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) was officially completed in October 2024 as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), aimed at enhancing China’s access to the Arabian Sea. With a sprawling 4,300-acre area and a capacity to handle 400,000 passengers annually, it was hailed as a game-changer for Pakistan’s aviation sector.

However, the airport remains non-operational, raising serious questions about its purpose and utility.

Why is the Airport Still Non-Operational?

Despite its grand vision, security concerns and infrastructure challenges have delayed commercial operations. The airport’s location near mountainous terrain has been identified as a potential security risk, leading to concerns over its vulnerability to attacks.

Even the opening ceremony was held virtually, with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and China’s Premier Li Qiang attending remotely.

Additionally, Gwadar itself lacks basic infrastructure—it is not connected to Pakistan’s national power grid, depends on imported electricity from Iran, and suffers from a severe water shortage. The airport may be built, but the city is struggling to sustain it.

Built for China, Not Pakistan?

Local residents believe that the airport was never intended to serve Pakistanis. “This airport is not for Gwadar or Pakistan. It is for China—to secure access for its citizens and businesses,” says Azeem Khalid, an expert in Pakistan-China relations.

This sentiment is echoed in the fact that no direct flights are available from Gwadar to major Pakistani cities like Quetta or Islamabad, and local job creation remains questionable.

Even Baloch political leaders have raised concerns over the lack of employment opportunities for Gwadar residents. Abdul Ghafoor Hoth, a district leader of the Balochistan Awami Party, pointed out that no local Baloch residents were hired to work at the airport, despite claims of job creation under CPEC.

The Future of Gwadar Airport

While Pakistani officials continue to describe the airport as a “milestone for economic growth”, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Without active commercial flights, reliable infrastructure, or local acceptance, Gwadar’s billion-dollar airport remains a symbol of grand ambitions with little local benefit.