Mansehra Airport

The airport was primarily a temporary airstrip established for a specific purpose rather than a permanent commercial facility. Its closure was due to the cessation of the large-scale humanitarian mission it was created to support. With the winding down of the post-earthquake relief and reconstruction efforts, there was no sustained economic or logistical demand to justify its continued operation. The valuable land was subsequently repurposed by the Pakistan Army for military expansion.

The site of the former Mansehra Airport no longer exists as an aviation facility. The land has been fully absorbed and redeveloped by the Pakistan Army. Satellite imagery of the coordinates confirms that the area is now part of the Mansehra Cantonment. The former runway and support areas have been replaced by military infrastructure, including buildings for the Army Public School & College (APS), residential quarters, training grounds, and other administrative facilities. There are no visible remnants of the airstrip.

Mansehra Airport's historical significance is almost entirely linked to the catastrophic 2005 Kashmir earthquake. The region was one of the worst-hit areas, and existing infrastructure was destroyed, cutting off many towns and villages. The airstrip was rapidly established as a critical forward operating base and logistical hub for one of the largest humanitarian relief operations in history. It primarily handled military and civilian helicopter traffic (such as UNHAS Mi-8s, US Army Chinooks) and smaller fixed-wing STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. These aircraft were instrumental in evacuating the injured, delivering essential supplies like food, medicine, and tents to inaccessible mountain areas, and transporting aid workers and military personnel. For a period between 2005 and 2007, it was one of the busiest airfields of its type in the world, serving as a lifeline for millions of affected people.

There are zero prospects for reopening the airport at its original location, as the site has been permanently repurposed. However, there is a significant and long-standing government plan to build a 'New Mansehra Airport' at a different location. This proposed airport is planned for the Tanawal area of Mansehra District. The project's goal is to serve the entire Hazara Division, boost tourism to the scenic Kaghan Valley and surrounding areas, and provide air logistics support for projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The project has faced numerous delays over the years, primarily concerning land acquisition and funding approvals, but it remains a strategic priority for both the provincial and federal governments. As of recent reports, the government is actively working to resolve these issues to commence construction.