The inaugural international flight has arrived at the newly refurbished runway of Jinnah International Airport.

The recently repaired runway at Jinnah International Airport successfully accommodated its inaugural international aircraft on Thursday afternoon.

The flight from Saudi Arabia signified a milestone after significant enhancements to the airport’s principal runway.

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) celebrated the aircraft’s arrival with a customary water salute. The project, exceeding Rs8 billion, was completed in 18 months, enabling uninterrupted operations for both domestic and international flights during the construction phase.

The enlargement and restoration currently facilitate the safe landing of large cargo flights and wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380. PAA CEO and Airport Manager Adnan Khan stated that the runway has been enhanced to Category 4F standards, complying with international specifications for large aircraft.

Upon the completion of Runway 07L/25R, its classification has been upgraded, rendering it fully equipped to accommodate wide-body aircraft. The inaugural successful calibration landing occurred on 3 January 2026.

Project Director Hafiz Zahid Ishaq indicated that the renovated runway incorporates fortified materials to accommodate greater aircraft weights, enhanced taxiways, and sophisticated lighting systems to assist approach guidance. The enhancements are anticipated to uphold operational safety and efficiency for the forthcoming 25 to 30 years.

A Category 1 navigation system has been implemented to handle poor weather situations, with potential for future enhancements if necessary.