Hyderabad airport may resume operations after 13-year hiatus: reports

Hyderabad airport is set to reopen for commercial flights after more than a decade, serving as an alternate hub for Karachi, Sukkur, and Nawabshah during bad weather and emergencies, media reports said, citing officials.

According to sources within the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), work on the proposed project is expected to begin soon.

As part of the planned upgrade, the airport’s 7,000-foot runway would be extended to around 11,500 feet, allowing larger aircraft, including Boeing 777s, to operate from the facility.

The project would also involve improvements to passenger facilities to accommodate flights using the airport.

The proposed revival could potentially pave the way for the resumption of domestic air services from Hyderabad, with the city emerging as a regional aviation hub.

Under the contingency plan, flights scheduled to land in Karachi, Nawabshah or Sukkur could be diverted to Hyderabad in the event of emergencies or weather-related disruptions. Passengers could subsequently be transported by road to their intended destinations, enabling airlines to maintain onward travel arrangements.

Hyderabad airport has not handled a commercial passenger flight since 2013, when Pakistan International Airlines operated the last such service from the facility.

When contacted, PAA spokesperson Saif Ullah confirmed to Business Recorder that the airport’s revival is part of the authority’s plans, while clarifying that no formal statement has yet been issued.

“Yes, it is planned. Although we haven’t issued any formal statement, the contents (reported by local media) are mostly true,” he said.