E-Paper | May 31, 2026

Saidu Sharif Airport in Swat to be reopened

The Newspaper's Staff Reporter Published January 30, 2019
The 2012 photo shows a Pakistani army soldier stands guard in front of a PIA plane after it flew to Saidu Sharif in Swat Valley. — AFP/File
The 2012 photo shows a Pakistani army soldier stands guard in front of a PIA plane after it flew to Saidu Sharif in Swat Valley. — AFP/File
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ISLAMABAD: The government has in principle decided to make the Saidu Sharif Airport in Swat operational to promote tourism in the country.

Established in 1978, the airport used to handle two flights a day from Islamabad and Peshawar but it was closed down when the law and order situation in the valley deteriorated.

As part of preparations for reopening the airport, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) chief operating officer met with Federal Minister for Communication Murad Saeed, who also belongs to Swat.

According to a statement, the minister said Swat is one of the most beautiful areas in the country and that making the Saidu Sharif Airport operational will help promote tourism.

He said PIA’s collaboration is imperative for reopening the airport.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2019

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iffi
Jan 30, 2019 10:50am
Good move .. well done govt pti
Recommend 0
Abdullah
Jan 30, 2019 11:32am
More standard Airports with good facilities and other airlines should also operate
Recommend 0
Mak
Jan 30, 2019 12:20pm
Wish you Best ! People should go and enjoy .
Recommend 0
AQEEL AHMAD
Jan 30, 2019 12:33pm
If this happens, planning to visit Swat along with my family from Dubai.
Recommend 0
Awan
Jan 30, 2019 12:49pm
Punjab is now stagnant and PTI is only focusing on KP only. Faisalabad airport's runaway is now unfit for big planes and nobody cares. No development in Punjab since PTI has taken over.
Recommend 0
Habib Virani - Tanzania
Jan 30, 2019 01:15pm
PTI is still scorned even after its marvellous attempts to promot and bring dignity to the country with such attempts which were not thought of before. The country before Naya Pakistan wad secluded in Iron CURTAIN
Recommend 0
Sabir Pakistani
Jan 30, 2019 02:21pm
Good, with increasing population in Pakistan youth wants to explore every inch of Pakistan and for the past two years the foreign tourists are increasing in Pakistan. These facilities are must. Make more facilities available soon as tourism in the country will be a major thing.
Recommend 0
Tariq, Lahore
Jan 30, 2019 04:34pm
Excellent move and also rename it to Swat Airport!
Recommend 0
arshad
Jan 30, 2019 05:10pm
the only plane that can land in this airport are the PIA small ATRs. These plane are neither safe nor reliable and had lots of maintenance issues. Govt should also look into this as passenger safety should not not compromised
Recommend 0
jaredlee007
Jan 31, 2019 01:27am
Please PIA, train your pilots and crew so whey they fly planes they at least provide information to passengers about various beautiful arieal views.
Recommend 0
Azam khan
Jan 31, 2019 01:00pm
Good move , but it needs consistent work beyond media announcement. Previously also the government had made efforts at different times. The picture given is of 2012 when I was commanding there (I am standing wearing blue shirt near the steps). Further it's opening for domestic is not enough but it should be upgraded for international flights also. Because 737 can land there. The land has been acquired by government recently so no obstacle in it's upgradation. Anyone having some role in it's opening can contact me for any type of briefing helpful for it's opening. azamswat @ Yahoo.com
Recommend 0

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