Skardu International Airport

Skardu International Airport


سکردو بین الاقوامی ہوائی اڈا
Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 737-300 at Skardu Airport in 2008
Summary
Airport typeJoint-use airport
Owner GoP Aviation Division
OperatorPakistan Airports Authority
ServesSkardu-16100
LocationSkardu District, Baltistan Division, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
Hub forPakistan International Airlines
Elevation AMSL7,301 ft / 2,225 m
Coordinates35°20′22″N 75°32′29″E / 35.33944°N 75.54139°E / 35.33944; 75.54139
Websitepaa.gov.pk
Maps

Location in Skardu
OPSD
Location of airport in Pakistan
OPSD
OPSD (Pakistan)
OPSD
OPSD (South Asia)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
14L/32R 11,995 3,656 Bitumen
14R/32L 11,995 3,656 Bitumen
1̶3̶/3̶3̶ 8̶5̶0̶0̶ 2̶5̶9̶0̶ B̶i̶t̶u̶m̶e̶n̶
Statistics (2023-24 [1])
Passengers146,449
Aircraft movements1,054
Cargo131 t (131,000 kg)
Sources: PAA AIP[2]

Skardu International Airport (IATA: KDU, ICAO: OPSD) is an international airport located on the outskirts of Skardu 9.2 km (5.7 mi) from the city center and serves the Skardu District. It is the busiest airport in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region. [3][4]

It is adjacent to Qadri airbase, a Pakistan Air Force FOB base which shares the main runway with the airport.

In June 2025, the government was reportedly moving towards a Rs 180 million upgrade of Skardu International Airport.[5]

History

Skardu Airport was initially built as an airbase in 1949, following Pakistan's independence and served as an airfield for the Pakistan Air Force in the Northern Areas.[6] It was converted into a domestic airport for civilian use, alongside military use. On 2 December 2021, Skardu Airport was designated and re-inaugurated as an international airport after providing upgrades to the airport to become a tourism hub for Gilgit-Baltistan.[7][8]

Runways

Skardu Airport has two asphalt runways, both 11,944 ft (3,641 m) long, while a third 8,740 ft (2,664 m) long asphalt runway, Runway 15/33, was de-commissioned in December 2021.

Airlines and destinations

Skardu Airport is connected to Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, through regular Pakistan International Airlines flights, as well as frequent flights to Lahore,[9] Multan,[10] Faisalabad,[11] Sialkot[12] and Karachi.[13]

Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A320-200-214 at Skardu Airport on 6 October 2015
Pakistan International Airlines ATR 42-500 registration AP-BHO taxiing at Skardu Airport on 21 October 2013.

Flydubai has submitted a request to start international operations to and from Skardu Airport, which could potentially become the first foreign airline to start international flights from Skardu.[14][15]

On 14 August 2023, the first international flight operated by Pakistan International Airlines from Dubai landed at the airport, marking a major step towards promoting tourism in the region.[16]

It was reported in June 2025 that the government had initiated a project for Rs 180 million upgrade of Skardu International Airport, to improve air connectivity and support economic development in Gilgit-Baltistan.[5]

AirlinesDestinations
Airblue Islamabad, Lahore[17]
Pakistan International Airlines Dubai–International,[18] Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore

See also

References

  1. ^ "MAJOR TRAFFIC FLOWS BY AIRPORTS DURING THE YEAR 2023-24" (PDF). Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority Official website. Retrieved 2025-06-26.
  2. ^ "eAIP-Aerodomes-Skardu". Pakistan Airports Authority Website.
  3. ^ "KDU Flight Data". Sky Scanner.
  4. ^ "MAJOR TRAFFIC FLOWS BY AIRPORTS DURING THE YEAR 2023-2024" (PDF). Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority.
  5. ^ a b "Government begins Rs180 million upgrade of Skardu International Airport". Profit by Pakistan Today. 2025-06-20. Retrieved 2025-06-29.
  6. ^ "Gilgit Airport". PCAA | Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Govt announces to construct international airport in Skardu". ARY NEWS. 2021-07-06. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  8. ^ "PM Imran Khan inaugurates Skardu International Airport". The News International. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
  9. ^ Correspondent, The Newspaper's (2021-04-08). "First PIA flight from Lahore lands at Skardu Airport". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2021-07-24. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ News Desk (2021-07-18). "PIA to operate Multan to Skardu flight on 25 July". Pakistan Observer. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  11. ^ "PIA announces direct flights between Faisalabad, Skardu". Profit by Pakistan Today. 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  12. ^ "PIA to start direct flights from Sialkot and an international flight from Dubai to Skardu from July 3". Daily Times. 2021-06-26. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  13. ^ Correspondent, The Newspaper's (2021-05-26). "PIA launches Karachi-Skardu flights". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2021-07-24. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  14. ^ "Flydubai wants to operate flights to Skardu | SAMAA".
  15. ^ "Fly Dubai to start international flight to Skardu".
  16. ^ "First international flight from Dubai lands at Skardu airport". Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  17. ^ "Airblue Plans Lahore – Skardu Service in NS25". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
  18. ^ "PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL ADDS SKARDU – DUBAI FLIGHT IN MID-AUGUST 2023". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
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