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Dalbandin Airport

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Dalbandin Airport
دلبندین ہوائی اڈہ
Summary
Airport typeJoint-use airport
OwnerPakistan GoP Aviation Division
OperatorPakistan Airports Authority
ServesDalbandin
LocationChagai District, Balochistan, Pakistan
Elevation AMSL2,777 ft / 846.43 m
Coordinates28°52′30″N 64°24′16″E / 28.87500°N 64.40444°E / 28.87500; 64.40444
Websitepaa.gov.pk
Map
OPDB is located in Balochistan, Pakistan
OPDB
OPDB
Location of airport in Pakistan
Show map of Balochistan, Pakistan
OPDB is located in Pakistan
OPDB
OPDB
OPDB (Pakistan)
Show map of Pakistan
OPDB is located in South Asia
OPDB
OPDB
OPDB (South Asia)
Show map of South Asia
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
13/31 6,640 2,024 Bitumen
Statistics (2024-25)
Aircraft movements12
Sources: PAA AIP[1][2]

Dalbandin Airport (IATA: DBA, ICAO: OPDB) (Balochi: دالبندین بالی پٹ) is a domestic airport located at the town of Dalbandin in the Balochistan province of Pakistan.[3]

History

The foundation of the airport was laid by the British Raj when in 1935 they established an airstrip in the town of Dalbandin to serve as a satellite of Samungli airbase in Quetta. During the Second World war, the airfield was activated by the British military consequent to threats of a Soviet invasion through Iran. After the end of the war, it became disused and remained that way for a while.[4]

In 1985, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority took control of the airfield and started infrastructure upgrades to the facility under which it was transformed into a full-fledged domestic airport with navigational aids, air traffic control facilities, passenger terminals and a paved runway. It was also connected by road links through the N-25 National Highway.[4]

Over the years, members of the House of Saud and Royal families of the United Arab Emirates amongst other Arab royalties from the Middle East have been utilizing the airport for hunting tours.[5][6][7] In early 2024, media reported that plans were underway to carpet the airport's runway.[8]

Chaghi nuclear tests

Throughout the Pakistani nuclear project, the airport was used heavily by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission for the preparation of Chagai-I tests.[9][10]

U.S invasion of Afghanistan

Amidst the U.S. led Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, the Government of Pakistan allowed coalition forces to use a few aerodrome facilities within Pakistan for logistical purposes to support operations in Afghanistan. Dalbandin airport was one of them due to its strategic location as it was located 50 km from the international border with Afghanistan. The airport saw heavy NATO transport and cargo aircraft traffic during this time span.[11][12][13]

In the wake of the 2011 NATO attack in Pakistan, Pakistani airspace was closed down to coalition aircraft along with the airports too. Dalbandin was later vacated by coalition forces.[14]

In 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan's administration gave permission for the U.S. to use Dalbandin airport though it was strictly limited to logistical purposes only.[15]

See also

References

  1. "eAIP-Aerodomes-Dalbandin". Pakistan Airports Authority Website.
  2. "MAJOR TRAFFIC FLOWS BY AIRPORTS DURING THE YEAR Statistics Branch To June 2025 From July 2024" (PDF). Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
  3. "About Dalbandin Airport". METAR-TAF.com. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  4. "Dalbandin, Pakistan". GlobalSecurity.org. 2 May 2026.
  5. "UAE royals arrive in Chagai for hunting Houbara bustards". Dawn. 21 December 2020.
  6. "Tabuk Governor Departs After Dalbandin Hunting Visit". Daily Independent. 9 January 2026.
  7. "Saudi prince arrives in Balochistan to hunt houbara bustard". eTribune. 21 February 2016.
  8. Uddin, Salah (15 March 2024). "Saudi Arabia to fund renovation of Dalbandin Airport". ARY NEWS. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  9. Hali, S.M (20 May 2022). "Dalbandin & Chagai — memories of another day". Business Recorder.
  10. "Dalbandin & Chaghai - Memories of an Earlier Visit". Defense Journal. Archived from the original on 29 January 1999.
  11. "'Coalition forces' using Pakistan air base". CNN. 19 October 2001.
  12. "Dalbandin people witness US action". DAWN.COM. 21 October 2001. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
  13. Ratnesar, Romesh (29 October 2001). "Into The Fray". Time.
  14. "Pakistan demands US vacate air base after deadly strikes". 26 November 2011.
  15. "U.S. given access to third Pakistani base". Gulf News. 23 July 2019.