Parachinar Airport becomes operational after long hiatus

PESHAWAR: Parachinar Airport in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram District has been reactivated and made operational through the efforts of the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) and the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), after remaining inactive for an extended period.

The renovation and repair of the airport mark a significant step toward restoring air transport in the region.

On April 26, Pakistan Army Aviation conducted trials at Parachinar Airport to assess the quality of construction and upgradation work, as well as runway functionality and overall operational readiness.

Pakistan Army Aviation completed six successful landing and takeoff trials, after which the airport runways were declared compliant with professional standards and safety protocols.

During the trials, the performance of the airport and runways was evaluated under various operational scenarios.

Following the success of these trials, Parachinar Airport’s operational capacity is expected to be further strengthened, significantly enhancing regional connectivity, emergency response, and economic activity in the area.

Last year, officials from the PAA and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) visited Parachinar Airport to assess its operational feasibility for commercial and humanitarian flights.

The government also formed an eight-member committee of PAA and PIA officers to evaluate the airport’s infrastructure and prospects for reopening.

The committee members conducted a comprehensive inspection of the airport’s infrastructure, including the terminal building, runway, fire garages, accommodation, generator room, and other operational facilities.