Gwadar International Airport Nov 2016. Photo: Reuters 

KARACHI: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has decided to close down the under-construction Gwadar International Airport in July due to expansion work on the runway.

CAA sources said the runway will be inoperable form July 1 ? 31. An alternative runway has not been designated by the authority as yet.

Sources said following the refurbishment work, the Airbus A-320 will be able to land at the airport.

In February this year, Balochistan Chief Secretary Saifullah Chatta said construction work on the Gwadar International Airport, costing Rs22 billion, would be completed in October.

An Airbus A-320 parked at Mumbai airport. Photo: Reuters

Talking to Radio Pakistan, he said the Gwadar airport would cater to the needs of the Gwadar deep-sea port as it would become the prime venue of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The CPEC has also increased passenger traffic in the area, he added.

?It will be the largest airport in Balochistan that will facilitate domestic and international passengers with facilities of international standards,? he said further.