Senate body informed: New Gilgit airport’s feasibility study nearing completion
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Defence was informed on Tuesday that a feasibility study for a new greenfield airport in Gilgit, covering approximately 1,800 acres of land, was at an advanced stage, while private airlines were expected to induct additional aircraft by December to address growing flight delays and improve domestic air connectivity.
The committee, chaired by Senator Talha Mahmood, reviewed the deteriorating condition of Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, persistent flight delays and cancellations, and plans to upgrade aviation infrastructure across the country.
Briefing the committee, the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence said technical issues and aircraft shortages were among the major factors contributing to flight disruptions. He explained that delays involving a single aircraft could affect an airline’s entire operational schedule, causing inconvenience to passengers.
The committee was informed that Air Sial, Airblue and other private airlines had initiated measures to acquire additional aircraft, with further inductions expected by December. The secretary expressed confidence that fleet expansion would improve flight availability and passenger services.
Regarding Karachi Airport, the secretary acknowledged the need to examine the factors responsible for its existing condition and informed the committee that improvement measures had already been undertaken.
He invited committee members to visit the airport to inspect the facilities and assess the progress of renovation and improvement work. A comparative assessment of the airport’s previous and current conditions would also be presented to the committee.
The secretary said that since the aviation sector came under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence on February 4, 2025, several measures had been initiated to improve airports and aviation services.
The committee was informed that the feasibility study for a new greenfield airport in Gilgit, proposed on approximately 1,800 acres of land, was nearing completion. The final location would be selected in light of the committee’s recommendations.
He added that the runway and lighting systems at the existing Gilgit Airport had been modernised, enabling other airlines to consider launching operations.
The committee was also informed that Peshawar Airport required complete renovation and construction of a new terminal building.
The secretary said special attention had been given to improving airports in Balochistan over the past one and a half years. Flight frequencies to various destinations in the province had been increased, while night-flight facilities had also been introduced at several airports.
He assured the committee that a separate detailed briefing would be provided on improvements undertaken at Balochistan’s airports and the expansion of flight operations. The committee was further informed that airlines were being encouraged to introduce smaller aircraft, including ATR and Embraer planes, on regional and short-haul routes to improve domestic connectivity.
According to the briefing, Airblue had expanded its operations and added three to four aircraft to its fleet, while other private airlines were also taking steps to enhance their operational capacity. Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi, who attended the meeting as a special invitee, called for the restoration of Dera Ismail Khan Airport and the resumption of commercial flight operations.
He stressed the need to review domestic air routes and proposed direct air connections from Peshawar to Swat and Lahore to facilitate passengers and strengthen regional connectivity. The governor said affordable and convenient air travel facilities should be made available to residents of Peshawar and the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026