According to Gilgit-Baltistan’s Chief Secretary, Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, Skardu is all set to receive its first international flight from Dubai on Pakistan’s Independence Day (14 August).
Skardu Airport is the sole airport in the northern region of the country capable of handling larger airplanes since the runways at Gilgit and Chitral airports are too short for long-haul flights.
Read more : Gilgit Airport Conducts Full-Scale Emergency Exercise
In December 2021, former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, designated Skardu Airport as ‘international,’ but its true potential was hindered due to the absence of a proper re-fuelling facility for international flights.
Fortunately, this issue has been resolved, and the re-fuelling facility is scheduled for inauguration on 11 August.
Recent developments have seen 12 Airbus A320 flights successfully connecting Skardu with major cities in Pakistan, indicating an upswing in tourism to the region.
In a related update, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) clarified that passengers traveling to and from Skardu are not required to present polio vaccination cards. The CAA also cautioned against falling for fraudulent online offers promising such cards, stressing that there is no such requirement. Instead, passengers are advised to check with the airlines about the health policies of their intended travel destinations, especially regarding polio vaccinations.
