Gilgit Airport

File:Gilgit Airport Winter Picture.JPG

File:PIA ATR-42.jpg at Gilgit Airport in July 2016]]

Because of the location of the runway and its location in the valley larger aircraft can not operate at the airpoirt. The airport has 5,400ft long Runway 07/25 but it is not aligned with the length of the valley that makes it hard for take offs or landings from both sides. Very rarely aircraft land or take from the CAA park side of the runway. Pakistan International Airlines currently operates ATR 42 aircraft on the Gilgit-Islamabad route. In the past, Fokker F-27 Friendships were used. Other aircraft that operate at the airport include the military Lockheed C-130 Hercules. In the event of a diversion, aircraft typically return to Islamabad, so care must be taken to carry enough fuel for the round trip.

A new terminal was constructed in 2014 and inaugurated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.[https://www.greaterkashmir.com/business/gilgit-gets-new-airport-building "Gilgit gets new airport building"], Greater Kashmir, December 6, 2014, updated March 14, 2015.

The airport was planned to be twice as extensive, but waterlogged ground led to half the land being instead used for a public park, CAA Park or City Park Gilgit.

Gilgit historically received aircraft before partition of Indian subcontinent. Even today almost the same route is used by the pilots to reach Gilgit airport. Weather condition and good visiblity is a must for Gilgit Islamabad flight operations. {{Cite web |last=Astin |first=Robert |date=7 March 2017 |title=Flying over the Himalayas: RAF Flight to Gilgit in November 1934 |url=https://blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/2017/03/flying-over-the-himalayas-raf-flight-to-gilgit-in-november-1934.html}}

The airport was originally constructed in 1949, It was later upgraded in 1958 with pavement.

Due to the small size of the airport, smaller aircraft mostly turboprops like ATR-42 and C-130 are able to safely land and take off from this airport. Flights are scheduled mostly from Islamabad. However, in 2022, PIA started flights from Karachi and Lahore through a stopover at Islamabad.[https://www.dawn.com/news/1675856 "PIA to resume Gilgit, Skardu flights on Mar 3"], Dawn, February 19, 2022.

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|Pakistan International Airlines | Islamabad, Seasonal: Lahore

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File:Gilgit Airport view from Barmus Valley.jpg

File:PIA Flight AP-BHP ATR-42 500.jpg

File:Abandoned ATR-42 at Gilgit Airport.jpg

• On August 25, 1989, Pakistan International Airlines Flight 404, a Fokker F27 carrying 54 people, disappeared after leaving Gilgit. The wreckage has not been found.[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19890825-1 "Aircraft accident Fokker F27 Friendship AP-BBF Himalaya Mountains"], Aviation Safety Network, retrieved September 7, 2021.
• On July 20, 2019, Pakistan International Airlines Flight 605, an ATR carrying 53 people, skidded off the runway and came to rest on the grass. All the passengers were evacuated safely, but the plane was damaged.[https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/07/20/pia-plane-skids-off-runway-while-landing-at-gilgit-airport/ "PIA plane escapes accident at Gilgit airport"], Pakistan Today, July 20, 2019.

While not an official airline source, gilgitairport.com offers a platform for travelers to access potentially up-to-date information on flight status, gathered and verified locally.[https://gilgitairport.com/about-us "About GilgitAirport.com"], GilgitAirport, December 20, 2023.

• List of airports in Pakistan
• Airlines of Pakistan
• Skardu International Airport
• Chilas Airfield
• Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority

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Category:Airports in Gilgit-Baltistan

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