First Commercial Landing Successfully Conducted on Upgraded Runway 07L/25R at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi

Karachi - The first commercial landing has been successfully conducted on the fully reconstructed and upgraded main Runway 07L/25R at Jinnah International Airport, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s aviation infrastructure development.

The historic landing was carried out by Airblue Flight PA-171, which departed Jeddah at 6:48 AM and touched down smoothly at JIAP at 12:20 PM. The aircraft was received with a traditional water cannon salute, formally commencing regular flight operations on the reconstructed main runway and symbolizing a new chapter in the airport’s operational history.

The state-of-the-art Code 4F runway is fully compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and capable of accommodating the world’s largest commercial aircraft, including the Airbus A380. Executed at a total cost of PKR 8,305 million, the project was completed in a record 18 months while keeping the airport fully operational.

The project achieved Zero Days Schedule Overrun, Zero Cost Overrun, Zero Contractual Claims, and Zero Harm incidents - reflecting meticulous engineering execution, stringent safety management, and strong institutional oversight. This accomplishment sets a benchmark for infrastructure delivery in Pakistan and demonstrates the highest standards of safety and quality.

The reconstruction and extension enhanced runway length, pavement strength, energy-efficient lighting systems, taxiways, and overruns - strengthening safety margins, operational capacity, and long-term reliability for the next 25-30 years.

Director General Pakistan Airports Authority, Air Vice Marshal Zeeshan Saeed, while congratulating the team, stated: “The successful first commercial landing on the upgraded Runway 07L/25R reflects Pakistan’s commitment to modern, safe, and efficient aviation infrastructure. Delivered on time and within budget, the project establishes a new benchmark and reinforces Karachi’s position as the nation’s most strategic aviation gateway.”

This milestone underscores Pakistan’s continued commitment to strengthening aviation infrastructure and further reinforces Karachi’s standing as the country’s busiest and most vital air transport hub.