Pakistan has delayed the opening of the $246 million New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) due to security issues. The airport, funded by China, was scheduled to open on August 14, but the date was postponed following extensive protests in Gwadar, a city in Balochistan province.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was expected to inaugurate the NGIA, which is situated near the Chinese-managed Gwadar port. Covering 4,300 acres, the airport is designed to handle large aircraft like the Airbus A380 and would be the largest airport in Pakistan by size. However, security concerns and uncertainty about passenger demand have led to the delay. The region's history of militant attacks and ongoing separatist movements add to these concerns.

The NGIA’s opening was already delayed once last year and faces further postponement. Currently, Gwadar has only limited flights from Karachi, which are often cancelled. Although direct flights from Chinese airlines were planned for after the NGIA’s opening, experts are sceptical about a significant increase in demand.

The NGIA’s opening is considered more symbolic than profitable at this time. The development is part of Pakistan’s strategy to transform Gwadar into a major economic hub, akin to Singapore. However, the recent protests and security threats have raised doubts about the immediate impact of the airport.

Some experts fear the NGIA might become like Sri Lanka’s Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, often referred to as the "world’s emptiest international airport" due to its very few flights. There are concerns that the NGIA could become another large but underused facility.

Pakistan has pledged to enhance security and has launched new counter-terrorism operations. Despite hopes that the NGIA will attract more Chinese investment, local residents, primarily poor fishermen, may not see immediate benefits from the new airport.

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