Karachi, Pakistan – Web Desk: Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport celebrated the first successful landing of an international flight on its newly constructed runway, marking a major milestone in Pakistan’s aviation infrastructure.
The flight, arriving from Saudi Arabia on Thursday afternoon, touched down safely on the upgraded 07L/25R runway, which was inaugurated with a traditional water salute by the Pakistan Airports Authority.
The project, completed at a cost exceeding PKR 8 billion, took 18 months to finalize. The expansion now allows the airport to accommodate large cargo aircraft and wide-body planes, including the Airbus A380.
Pakistan Airports Authority CEO Adnan Khan confirmed that the runway was constructed to the modern Category 4F standard, meeting international safety and operational benchmarks for large aircraft. The improvements include extended length, reinforced load-bearing surfaces, enhanced taxiways, and advanced lighting systems for optimal approach guidance.
Project Director Hafiz Zahid Ishaq highlighted that the upgrade was completed without disrupting ongoing domestic and international flight operations. The modernized runway is expected to support safe and efficient operations for the next 25–30 years, with Category 1 systems installed to handle adverse weather conditions.
The successful landing underscores Pakistan’s commitment to modernizing its aviation infrastructure and improving operational capacity at one of South Asia’s busiest airports.
