Skardu International Airport is an international airport located on the outskirts of Skardu from the city center, and serves the Skardu District. It is the busiest airport in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region. It is adjacent to Qadri airbase, a Pakistan Air Force (FOB) which shares the main runway with the airport.
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. 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.
It was reported in June 2025 that the government had initiated a project for upgrade of Skardu International Airport, to improve air connectivity and support economic development in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Runways
Skardu Airport has two asphalt runways, both 11,944 ft (3,641 m) long. A third 8,740 ft (2,664 m) long asphalt runway, Runway 15/33, was de-commissioned in December 2021.
Airlines and destinations For an extended period, the airport handled only one or two flights. Following its designation as an international airport, flight operations reportedly increased to approximately eight to ten flights. The airport Skardu Airport is connected to Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, through regular Pakistan International Airlines flights, as well as through flights to Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Karachi.
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. On 14 August 2023, the first international flight operated by Pakistan International Airlines from Dubai landed at the airport, the direct connection has been continued as a seasonal flight service in May 2025.
Statistics +Annual traffic statistics at SkarduYearPassengers handledNumbers% change202015,4862021344,3852022317,7642023244,1182024369,733
See also Gilgit Airport Chilas Airfield List of airports in Pakistan Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority Airlines of Pakistan
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