ISLAMABAD, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The New Gwadar International Airport officially commenced operations on Monday, welcoming its inaugural flight in the country's southwestern Balochistan province, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) said in a statement.

A flight of Pakistan International Airlines landed at 11:14 a.m. local time (0614 GMT), marking the airport's first commercial arrival, the statement added.

The flight was warmly received by Defense and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif, Chief Minister of Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti, and senior officials from the government and the PCAA.

The inaugural flight was also honored with a water salute upon landing.

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.

Describing the airport as a shining example of Pakistan-China friendship, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his satisfaction with the commencement of flights.

"We have crossed another milestone in making Gwadar a vital hub connecting Central and Eastern Asia with the Middle East and Gulf countries," the prime minister said in a statement from his office.

He said that the operationalization of the airport represents a significant step, not only for Pakistan but for the entire region.

The activation of the new airport will help realize the dream of development for Pakistan and the region under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, envisioned by the Chinese and Pakistani leadership, Sharif noted. Enditem

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