Hyderabad Airport to Resume Operations After 13 Years

Hyderabad Airport is set to resume commercial flight operations after an absence of over a decade, potentially serving as an alternate hub for Karachi, Sukkur, and Nawabshah during adverse weather conditions or emergencies, according to media reports quoting officials. Recent sources within the Pakistan Airports Authority indicate that project work is anticipated to commence in the near future.

The plan involves extending the 7,000-foot runway to approximately 11,500 feet, enabling larger aircraft, such as Boeing 777s, to operate from the airport. Additionally, passenger facilities will be upgraded to support these flight operations. This revival could potentially restore domestic air services from Hyderabad, transforming the city into a regional aviation hub.

In the event of emergencies or weather-related disruptions, flights scheduled to arrive in Karachi, Nawabshah, or Sukkur could be redirected to Hyderabad, with passengers subsequently transported by road to their final destinations, thereby enabling airlines to maintain their travel operations. Hyderabad Airport has not accommodated commercial passenger flights since 2013 when Pakistan International Airlines concluded its final service from the airport.

According to Saif Ullah, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Airports Authority, the revival of the airport is part of the authority's strategic plans, though no formal statement has been released. Ullah acknowledged the validity of the reported details while declining to provide a formal statement.