The Pakistan Aviation Authority (PAA) has announced plans to construct new greenfield airports in Dera Ismail Khan and Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), as part of a broader strategy to expand and modernize the country’s aviation infrastructure. The initiative also includes upgrading the existing Dera Ghazi Khan airport.
The announcement came during a Stakeholders Engagement & Briefing Session organized by the PAA in Karachi on Friday. The session, chaired by PAA Director Planning and Development Engineer Ghulam Abbas Sheikh, brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), AirSial, Airblue, SereneAir, and Fly Dubai, as well as project consultants and aviation experts.
According to the PAA spokesperson, consultants presented updated feasibility studies and passenger potential analyses for the proposed airports. The discussions also focused on the strategic benefits of expanding Pakistan’s regional air connectivity to stimulate tourism, trade, and local economic growth.
The meeting followed a recent agreement between the federal government and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in AJK, which mentioned that an announcement regarding the timeline for developing an international airport in Mirpur could be made within the current financial year. The agreement came after a period of unrest in the region, highlighting the government’s intent to boost development and stability through infrastructure investment.
Airline representatives at the session noted that while smaller regional airports could initially divert some passenger traffic from major city airports, they would ultimately contribute to balanced aviation growth and greater accessibility for underserved areas.
“The development of regional airports is not just about infrastructure — it’s about enabling connectivity, tourism, and long-term economic progress,” said the PAA spokesperson, reaffirming the authority’s commitment to pursuing demand-driven, sustainable aviation projects across the country.
The PAA confirmed that it would continue engaging with all stakeholders and technical experts to ensure the new projects align with Pakistan’s broader aviation goals and international standards.
In other news also read about Peshawar Police Unveil Drone With Laser Targeting What’s It Really Capable Of?
