China funded $200-million for airport. One of the largest airports, the airport is designed to handle both domestic and international flights. According to the details shared by Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), the airport has capacity to accommodate Airbus A380 aircraft. The airport is expected to serve four million passengers annually.

Due to militant attacks in Balochistan, the security review in August has caused delay the airport’s launching.

“Flights from Gwadar to Muscat will start from January 10 next year,” the PM Office said. The government is aimed at expanding international routes, it added.

The airport constructed with collaboration of China under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. In the vicinity, a deep-water port, developed in partnership with Pakistan, Oman, and China, is close to completion.

The cold storage, cargo facilities, and the banking services will be available at Gwadar Airport. To bolster security of the airport, security agencies, including the Airports Security Force and the Federal Investigation Agency have been deployed.

In past, the militant groups have targeted Chinese investments in Balochistan. The recent attacks, including a suicide bombing in Karachi have escalated tensions. PM Shehbaz Sharif stressed the importance of stringent security measures at the airport.