New Gwadar Airport: A $240M Project with No Flights
- Fahad Bin Khalid
- February 26, 2025
- 12:15 pm
- 38
- Business
The new Gwadar Airport delay has left locals frustrated despite $240 million in Chinese funding. Pakistan completed the airport in October 2024, but flights remain limited. The airport has a capacity of 400,000 passengers, yet it stands empty.
Locals Struggle While Airport Remains Unused
Gwadar’s 90,000 residents still lack clean water and electricity. Many rely on Iranian power or solar panels. Locals say they don’t need a massive airport when basic needs remain unmet. They believe the airport primarily serves Chinese workers and officials under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Limited Job Opportunities for Locals
The government claims that CPEC projects created 2,000 jobs, but locals disagree. They say no Gwadar resident got a job at the airport, not even as a security guard. Many expected better employment opportunities, but the situation remains unchanged.
Heavy Security Measures in Gwadar
Once a peaceful city, Gwadar now resembles a military zone. Security forces have set up:
- Checkpoints
- Barbed wire fences
- Watchtowers
Soldiers frequently stop locals to check ID cards. Roads close multiple days a week to protect Chinese workers and officials. Journalists face restrictions, and some public areas remain off-limits.
Security Delays the Airport Opening
Security concerns delayed the official opening of the airport. Officials feared that nearby mountains could serve as attack launch sites. The inauguration happened virtually, with no public or media access.
Limited Flights and Poor Connectivity
Despite its massive size, the new Gwadar Airport operates only three flights per week to Karachi. There are no direct flights to Quetta or Islamabad. The coastal highway lacks basic facilities, making travel even harder.
Locals Question the Purpose of the Project
Many local leaders question whether this development benefits Gwadar’s people. The airport brought heavy security, but no real progress. Many recall a time when jobs were easier to find and Gwadar was more peaceful.
Residents still hope that true development will bring real opportunities for young people. However, for now, the new Gwadar Airport delay reflects a larger issue—promises of progress without benefits for the local community.
