Dera Ismail Khan Airport Restored and Operational After Years, Flights to Resume Soon

Islamabad (Qudrat Daily) — Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif has announced the successful restoration and reactivation of Dera Ismail Khan Airport after years of inactivity.
In a statement, the minister said the airport has been fully rehabilitated and made operational, marking a significant achievement for the Pakistan Airports Authority. He added that the initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to revive non-functional airports across the country.
The airport had remained inactive for several years due to neglect. However, the Ministry of Defence and the aviation authority undertook urgent measures, including runway rehabilitation, infrastructure upgrades, and renovation of the terminal building to meet modern aviation standards.
Officials said the restoration of the airport will provide much-needed travel facilities to people in southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and surrounding areas.
The project is also expected to boost commercial activity and support development initiatives linked to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Authorities emphasized that similar efforts are underway to gradually restore other inactive airports nationwide to expand Pakistan’s aviation network.
With the reopening of Dera Ismail Khan Airport, improved connectivity is anticipated to benefit local businesses, promote tourism, and attract investment, while strengthening air links between southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country.