Nushki Airport

The closure was primarily due to economic and operational factors. Key reasons include:
1. **Economic Non-Viability:** The passenger and cargo demand for flights to Nushki was extremely low, making the route consistently unprofitable for the national airline.
2. **Inadequate Infrastructure:** The airport had very basic facilities, including what was likely a gravel or unpaved runway, which was unsuitable for modern aircraft and would have required significant investment to upgrade.
3. **Shift in Transportation:** Gradual improvements in road infrastructure, particularly the RCD Highway (N-40), provided a more cost-effective alternative for travel and transport to and from Quetta.
4. **Military Conversion:** Following the cessation of civilian flights, the strategic location of the airfield led to its full conversion for use by security forces.

The site is no longer an active civilian airport and is not maintained for public use. The original runway layout is still clearly visible from satellite imagery, but it is unpaved and in a state of disrepair. The entire facility and surrounding area are now under the control of Pakistani security forces, specifically serving as a major base for the Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan. It is used as a military camp, a logistical hub, and a forward operating base for security operations in the sensitive border region. It may also be used for military helicopter operations.

Nushki Airport has a notable history dating back to the British colonial era. It was originally established as 'RAF Nushki', a forward operating airfield for the British Royal Air Force. Its strategic location near the borders of Afghanistan and Persia (modern-day Iran) made it a key base for reconnaissance and military operations in the region, particularly during the Waziristan campaigns. After Pakistan's independence in 1947, the airfield was handed over to the government. In the subsequent decades, it was used by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for its domestic feeder services, connecting the remote town of Nushki with the provincial capital, Quetta. These flights were typically operated by smaller turboprop aircraft, such as the Fokker F27 Friendship, and were a vital link for the region before the road network was fully developed.

There are currently no official, funded, or active plans to reopen Nushki Airport for commercial civilian aviation. While local leaders and communities in Balochistan occasionally advocate for the revival of old airports to spur economic growth and improve connectivity, the significant costs required to rebuild and modernize the infrastructure to meet current aviation standards are prohibitive. Furthermore, the lack of a viable commercial market and the ongoing security situation in the region make reopening for civilian traffic highly unlikely in the foreseeable future. Its current role as a strategic military base further solidifies its status as a closed civilian airport.