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.[1][2]
Runways
Skardu International Airport
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.
Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A320-200-214 taxiing at Skardu Airport on 6 October 2015
Pakistan International Airlines ATR 42-500 registration AP-BHO taxiing at Skardu Airport on 21 October 2013. The aircraft in the picture later crashed near Havelian, Abbottabad District on 7 December 2016 as PIA Flight 661
Flydubai has submitted a request to start international operations to and from Skardu Airport, which would potentially become the first foreign airline to start international routes from Skardu.[9][10]
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.[11]
Skardu, along with Gilgit, are the major tourism, trekking and expedition hubs in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It therefore attracts tourists from around the world.
