Gwadar International Airport

Common Complaints

• Lack of Flights and Passengers: The most significant complaint is the near-total absence of commercial flights and passengers, rendering the New Gwadar International Airport largely deserted despite its grand design. Only one commercial route reportedly operated out of the *old* domestic airport three times a week to Karachi, which was expected to transition to the new airport.
• Non-functional/Underutilized: Many reports refer to the airport as "non-functional" or a "white elephant" that has failed to kick off, drawing parallels to other underutilized infrastructure projects.
• Limited Local Benefit and Job Opportunities: Locals express strong dissatisfaction, feeling excluded from the development and reporting that the airport has not created jobs for residents of Gwadar. There's a perception that the airport serves China's strategic interests more than Pakistan or the local population.
• Lack of Supporting Infrastructure: The city of Gwadar itself faces fundamental issues, including not being connected to the national power grid (relying on electricity from Iran or solar panels) and a lack of clean water, making it challenging for the airport to function as a commercial hub. Reliable road and rail links connecting Gwadar to the rest of the country are also reportedly missing.
• Security Concerns and Restricted Movement: Increased military presence and checkpoints in Gwadar due to regional insurgency have disrupted the daily lives of locals, which could indirectly impact traveler comfort and accessibility.

Overall, the recent traveler experience at Gwadar International Airport (specifically the new facility) is characterized by its almost complete inactivity for commercial passenger services. While the infrastructure is modern and capable, the lack of operational flights, coupled with broader socio-economic and infrastructural challenges in Gwadar, means that genuine traveler reviews are scarce, and the prevailing sentiment is one of unfulfilled promises and limited utility.