QUETTA, Pakistan — Officials announced on Monday that Pakistan’s largest airport, primarily funded and constructed by Beijing, has commenced operations. This new airport is located in Gwadar, situated in the southwestern province of Balochistan, which has long been a hotspot for separatist insurgency as groups within the region seek autonomy or complete independence from Pakistan.

The inauguration ceremony for Gwadar airport was attended by notable figures, including Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif and representatives from China. They observed the landing of the inaugural flight from Karachi, operated by Pakistan International Airlines. The event follows a previous virtual inauguration led by Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, revealing the airport’s annual capacity to handle approximately 400,000 passengers.

China has made substantial investments in the coastal city of Gwadar, which includes not only the airport—constructed at an estimated cost of $230 million—but also the development of a deep-sea port. This effort is part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative aimed at enhancing global trade routes by fortifying infrastructure. The initiative seeks to provide China with a direct link to the Arabian Sea shipping lanes through Pakistan, facilitated by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Construction on Gwadar airport began in 2019, with plans to open last year. However, operations were delayed due to an increase in militant and separatist attacks targeting Chinese nationals involved in various projects across the province.

During the ceremony, Asif expressed gratitude towards China for the airport’s development, highlighting its potential to bolster Pakistan’s economy, draw foreign investments, and foster prosperity in Balochistan. However, there exists a strong opposition from ethnic Baloch communities who accuse both Chinese and other foreign entities of exploiting the region economically, leading to resistance against the airport and other Chinese-funded projects.

The Ministry of Planning and Development has stated that the airport is capable of accommodating various aircraft types, including ATR 72, Airbus A-300, Boeing 737, and Boeing 747, supporting both domestic and international travel.

Official reports indicate that Gwadar airport is constructed on an extensive footprint of 4,300 acres, marking it as the largest airport in Pakistan by area, as noted by the country’s civil aviation authorities.