Pakistan has restored and fully operationalised the Dera Ismail Khan Airport, marking another step in efforts to revive previously inactive aviation facilities across the country.
According to an official statement issued on Wednesday, the airport has been completely rehabilitated after remaining affected by years of neglect and underutilisation. Authorities said the restoration is part of a broader strategy to improve regional connectivity and strengthen aviation infrastructure in underserved areas.
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Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the Pakistan Airports Authority had achieved another milestone by successfully reviving the airport and making it fully functional once again.
He noted that Dera Ismail Khan Airport had long suffered from limited attention, which affected its operational status and reduced its role in facilitating travel and economic activity in the region.
The minister added that the Ministry of Defence, along with the Pakistan Airports Authority, is continuing efforts to restore and modernise other inactive airports across the country. The broader initiative is aimed at improving domestic air travel, encouraging trade, and making transportation more accessible for people living outside major urban centres.
Officials have not yet announced a formal schedule for commercial flight operations or named airlines that will begin services from the airport. However, the reopening is expected to improve mobility for residents of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and surrounding districts, which have historically faced transportation challenges.
Regional business communities and travellers have welcomed the development, saying an operational airport could reduce travel time, improve access to larger cities, and create fresh economic opportunities for the area.
Aviation experts say the reactivation of smaller airports can play an important role in decentralising air travel, easing pressure on larger airports, and supporting balanced infrastructure growth nationwide.
The revival of Dera Ismail Khan Airport also aligns with government efforts to strengthen connectivity in strategically important and economically growing regions.
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With the facility now declared fully operational, attention is expected to shift toward the launch of regular passenger and cargo services, which will determine the airport’s long-term commercial viability and regional impact.