ISLAMABAD, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's New Gwadar International Airport in the country's southwestern Balochistan province has successfully conducted its first full-scale airport emergency exercise, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said on Wednesday.
The exercise aimed at testing preparedness and response mechanisms in line with international aviation standards, the PAA said in a statement.
The exercise assessed the effectiveness of the airport's emergency management system and enhanced readiness to handle potential aviation emergencies, the PAA said, adding all relevant institutions and responding agencies participated.
The airport emergency response, safety measures and operational preparedness were comprehensively reviewed during the exercise, reaffirming the commitment to passenger safety and high aviation security standards, the PAA noted.
The China-aided airport is a state-of-the-art 4F-grade facility capable of accommodating the world's largest civil aircraft. Its 3,658-meter-long, 75-meter-wide runway, built with specialized foundation treatment, sets a new benchmark in engineering standards, Abdul Samad Magsi, the airport's acting manager told Xinhua.
The airport is a key infrastructure project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, designed to support regional connectivity and economic development.
According to Magsi, the airport is expected to play a vital role in facilitating international and domestic air travel, supporting Gwadar Port operations, and strengthening Pakistan's role as a regional trade and transit hub.
"Passenger traffic at the airport is steadily increasing, reflecting growing confidence in its facilities and operational readiness. Both local and foreign airlines are actively engaging with the management to fully utilize its capabilities," Magsi added. ■
