Chilas Airport (CHB)

Chilas Airfield (IATA: CHB, ICAO: OPCL) is an airfield located in Chilas, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.

• Type: Public airfield, operated by the Pakistan Airports Authority. It is described as a "Small airport".
• Location: Diamer District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, with coordinates approximately 35°25′37″N 074°05′06″E. Its elevation is 1,264 meters (4,146 feet) above mean sea level.
• Runway Information: It has a paved runway that is 1,372 meters (4,500 feet) long. Specifically, it has two asphalt runways, 10 and 28, both 4,500 feet long.
• Known Uses:
• Historically, it was built in 1927 by the British Raj for troop movement and government officials. After Pakistan's independence, it was used by the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) and Pakistan Air Force to support the construction of the Karakoram Highway until 1970, after which it became disused.
• In 2018, there were proposals and a high-level board constituted by the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to reactivate the airfield for tourism and logistics, particularly to support the construction of the nearby Diamer-Bhasha Dam.
• It is expected to receive minor upgrades to enable construction officials from WAPDA and China Power Investment Corporation to reach the dam site via air.
• Future Status: The airfield is located in the catchment area of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam and will be submerged when the dam's reservoir is filled.
• No Scheduled Commercial Service: While proposals for an international airport came up between 2008-2013, they did not materialize. There is no reported fuel available.

*Sources researched: en.wikipedia.org, fallingrain.com, aviation-safety.net, airportguide.com, fshub.io*