The Pakistan Airports Authority has launched a Rs 900 million upgrade of Skardu International Airport, aiming to transform Gilgit-Baltistan into a key hub for tourism and trade.
The new master plan will equip the airport with state-of-the-art facilities to handle increasing passenger traffic and meet modern international aviation standards. Planned upgrades include an expanded terminal, improved air traffic management systems, and enhanced safety infrastructure to support both domestic and future international operations.
Officials from the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation say the upgraded airport will play a crucial role in promoting tourism across the region. Skardu, gateway to K2 and some of Pakistan’s most scenic destinations, is expected to see a larger influx of domestic and international tourists, boosting hotels, transport, and local businesses.
The project is part of a wider PAA strategy to modernize aviation infrastructure by 2026. Under this plan, RNP-AR satellite-based flight procedures will be implemented at Skardu, Gilgit, and Chitral by June 2026 to reduce weather-related delays and cancellations in the mountainous north. A second phase of upgrades at Skardu is scheduled to begin next year.
Design consultancy for the expansion has been awarded at Rs 180 million, with construction set to start within a year following detailed design and PC-1 approval. Authorities emphasize the project will strengthen regional connectivity, facilitate economic growth, and open new opportunities for trade and investment in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Originally an airbase built in 1949, Skardu Airport was re-inaugurated as an international airport in December 2021. The current Rs 900 million expansion underscores the government’s commitment to positioning Skardu as a gateway for international tourism while supporting broader economic integration of the northern regions.
