Karachi, PK 🇵🇰 Closed Airport
PK-0019
-
205 ft
PK-SD
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 24.97° N, 67.228° E
Continent: AS
Type: Closed Airport
PAF Base Malir (PK-0019) in Karachi, Pakistan, is a military airbase operated by the Pakistan Air Force and is a non-flying base. As such, there are no public traveler reviews or experiences available concerning terminal facilities, amenities, security wait times, customs/immigration, or public transportation connections typically associated with commercial airports. The base primarily serves military functions, including air defense and technical training.
It is important to distinguish PAF Base Malir from Jinnah International Airport (KHI), which is Karachi's main civilian airport for domestic and international travel.
While the broader Malir Cantonment area, where the base is located, has some public amenities like shopping malls and offers public transportation services like the People's Bus Service, these are not directly related to traveler experiences at the military airbase itself. Military installations often have restricted access due to security protocols.
Overall Summary:
Due to its nature as a military airbase, PAF Base Malir (PK-0019) does not cater to civilian travelers, and therefore, no traveler sentiment, satisfaction, or reviews exist for its facilities or services in the manner of a commercial airport. Travelers seeking air travel to or from Karachi would use Jinnah International Airport (KHI).
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This facility was never a public or commercial airport that was later closed. It was established as a military airfield circa 1942 during World War II and has been in continuous military operation ever since. It has never been open to civilian air traffic.
The site was purpose-built as a military installation (Royal Air Force Station Malir) to support Allied efforts in World War II. After the partition of India in 1947, it was transferred to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and has remained a dedicated military airbase. Its 'closure' to the public is due to its continuous and ongoing function as a sensitive, active military base.
The site is an active and strategically important military installation known as PAF Base Malir. It serves as the headquarters for the PAF's Southern Air Command, which is responsible for the air defense of Pakistan's southern region, including its coastline and sea lines of communication. The base is notably home to the PAF's elite Special Service Wing (SSW), the primary special operations force of the air force. It also houses various logistics, air defense, and support squadrons.
Established during World War II as RAF Malir, it was a major base for the British Royal Air Force. It served as a crucial transit, maintenance, and personnel depot on the reinforcement route between the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The base played a significant role in aircraft assembly and repair operations. After Pakistan's independence in 1947, it was handed over to the Royal Pakistan Air Force (later Pakistan Air Force) and became PAF Station Malir. It has since evolved into one of the most important airbases in the country, hosting various operational, training, and support units throughout its history.
There are no plans or prospects for reopening PAF Base Malir for civilian or commercial use. Its critical role as a command headquarters and a base for elite special forces makes its conversion to a civil airport highly improbable. All civilian air traffic for Karachi is handled by the nearby Jinnah International Airport (IATA: KHI, ICAO: OPKC).