Sukkur International Airport
The Sukkar International Airport is located in Sukkur, Pakistan, and serves as a transportation hub for both domestic and international travelers in the Sindh province. This post will explore the history, amenities, and services offered at Sukkar airport and any current or upcoming developments or expansion plans. Whether you are a frequent flyer or just planning a trip to Sukkar, this post will provide you with all the information you need to know about this bustling airport. It is one of the many airports in Pakistan.
History of Sukkur Airport
The Begum Nusrat Bhutto International Airport Sukkur, popularly known as the Sukkur International Airport (IATA: SKZ, ICAO: OPSK), is a domestic airport situated in Sukkur, Sindh, Pakistan. The airport was officially renamed Nusrat Bhutto International Airport on January 26, 2012, by the Sindh Provincial Assembly, after the former first lady Begum Nusrat Bhutto of Pakistan in the 1970s.
Location of Sukkur Airport
It is a medium-sized airport that serves Sukkur and the adjacent towns of Khairpur, Jacobabad, Sibi, and Shikarpur. It is situated around 8 kilometers (5.0 miles) from the city center. Sukkur Airport Coordinates: 27° 43′ 19″ North, 68° 47′ 30″ East
Sukkur Airport’s Current Conditions
Sources claim that the Begum Nusrat Bhutto International Airport would get a new runway and terminal building. The Sukkur International Airport extended its runway so larger aircraft, such as the Airbus, could land there. For the airport’s expansion, PRs. 8 billion has been set for in the budget.
According to CAA, the infrastructure’s development and construction phase could last up to three years. The main goal, they continued, is to develop the airport to the point where it can occasionally replace Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport (JIA). The current conditions of Sukkur Airport indicate that it is open and operational. However, heavy rains and floods have caused damage to the airfield lighting system, temporarily halting night landings. Sukkur Airport is a hub for Pakistan International Airlines, serving primarily domestic destinations. Passengers should check with their airline for updates on Sukkar Airport flight schedules and potential disruptions.
International Status
According to ARY News, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has expedited the procedure for giving Begum Nusrat Bhutto Airport international status. The study for airport expansion is now complete. However, sources with knowledge of the situation claimed that the survey is still in its early phases and could take six months to complete.
Benefits of International Flights
The president of the FPCCI, Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, has urged the federal government to firmly go forward with opening the Sukkur airport to international flights, which has been a long-standing demand of the Sindh business community. According to Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Sukkur is geographically adjacent to eight large or small districts of Sindh and is only 30 to 45 minutes away. Sukkur has the potential to be a key location for increasing business, industrial, and commerce operations. He said upgrading the Sukkur airport will boost the entire region’s economy. Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said that Sukkur is located right after Khairpur and has Khairpur Special Economic Zone (KSEZ); KSEZ would also require Sukkur airport to have direct international flights to attract international investors. He added that when the KSEZ starts its operations and finds itself without an international airport nearby, it will badly hamper the prospects and potential of the KSEZ.
Runway
Sukkur International airport, located approximately 350 km from Karachi Jinnah Airport, serves as the primary alternate airport in Sindh, with a paved runway measuring 2700 meters. In addition to handling international flights, the airport is also used during emergencies and poor weather conditions.
Why is Night-time Landing a Ban on Sukkar Airport?
The Begum Nusrat Bhutto International airport authorities have banned night-time landings at Sukkur Airport. It is due to damage to the airfield lighting system caused by heavy rains and floods, making it difficult for pilots to see the runway during a night landing. This temporary ban is in place to ensure the safety of passengers and crew and to prevent further damage to the airfield. The lighting system will be repaired and safe before night landings are permitted again.
A Convenient Alternate for Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport
The prime alternate for Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, located about 350 kilometers away, is the Begum Nusrat Bhutto International Airport. The Sukkur Airport is easily accessible by turboprop aircraft and jets, with a flight time of less than an hour.
Hajj and Sukkur International Airport
Every year during Hajj season, the Begum Nusrat Bhutto International Airport in Sukkur operates Hajj flights to and from Jeddah and Medina in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The first flight left for Jeddah on August 6, 2016, and the operation continued until August 13, 2016.
Planned Upgradations and Expansion
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority planned to begin a significant upgrade and expansion project for Sukkur International Airport in September 2022. The project will transform the airport into an international airport with improved facilities and infrastructure for wide-body aircraft. The National Engineering Services Pakistan will carry out the project, which includes extending the runway and taxiway and reconstructing the apron and terminal building. These improvements will allow the airport to accommodate larger aircraft and increase passenger traffic. We expect the project to take several years to complete. Once finished, Airport will serve as a hub for international flights and improve air travel options for regional passengers.
Airlines and Destinations
Air travel is a convenient route for travelers to choose because it is safe, fast, and comfortable. Major cities are well-connected by air, making traveling between them only a matter of a few hours. Sukkur airport operates different domestic and international airlines, with Pakistan Intl Air using more frequently.
| Airlines | Destinations |
| Pakistan international airlines | Islamabad, KarachiHajj Jeddah Medina |
PIA (Pakistan international airlines) offers round-trip and one-way flights to Sukkur. Pakistan International Airlines serves Sukkur Airport, located 8 km outside the city, with direct flights to Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
| Pakistan International Airlines | HDD Hyderabad to SKZ Sukkur |
| Pakistan International Airlines | ISB Islamabad to SKZ Sukkur |
| Pakistan International Airlines | LHE Lahore to SKZ Sukkur |
| Pakistan International Airlines | MJD Mohenjodaro to SKZ Sukkur |
Popular Sectors from Sukkur
The most popular sectors from Sukkur are
Sukkur to Karachi and Sukkur to Islamabad, with 13 and 5 weekly flights, respectively.
Nearest Hotels to Sukkur International Airport
1 Hotel One Sukkur
2 Tourist Lodge Guest House
3 Chen Inn Hotel
4 Green Palace Guest House
5 Palms Valley Hotel
6 Hotel Forum Inn
7 Pakistan Club Inn Hotel and Resort
Contact Number
Here is the Sukkur Airport contact number
Phone: (071) 9310491
Email: support@caapakistan.com.pk
Nearest Airports to Sukkur International Airport
The nearest airports to Sukkur and Sukkur Airport are
1 Shikarpur Airport (29.87 km) from Sukkur airport.
2 Jacobabad Airport is (70.97 km) from Sukkur airport
3 Mohenjodaro Airport is (77.15 km) from Sukkur airport
4 Kadanwari Airport is (80.52 km) from Sukkur airport
5 Sawan Airport is (84.43 km) from Sukkur airport
6 Sui Airport is (109.44 km) from Sukkur airport
Sukkur Airport Code
The IATA (International Air Transport Association) issues a unique code to every airport worldwide. The primary functions of IATA are security and reliability. The code’s purpose is to give airports the right to operate domestic and international flights and to endorse their authority. Sukkur Airport’s IATA code is SKZ. Similarly, ICAO (the International Civil Aviation Organization) manages international air traffic and flight plans. The ICAO Sukkur Airport code is OPSK.
Airport Services and Facilities
Global air rescue
Sukkur International Airport (SKZ/OPSK) and Global Air Rescue work together directly to support your air ambulance needs. They provide emergency medical teams, medical equipment, and ground transport. The network of air ambulances is equipped with state-of-the-art advanced cardiac life support systems. Experienced doctors and nurses, certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Flight Physiology, are part of the network. For air ambulance care, highly qualified trauma experts are ready to fly and transport you directly to or from Begum Nusrat Bhutto International Airport (SKZ/OPSK) at a moment’s notice.
Ground handling services
The range of services referred to as ground handling locations facilitates the repositioning and preparation of aircraft on the ground for customer service and ramp service delivery. OPSK provides ground-handling services for all aircraft types at any place in Pakistan through authorized ground-handling companies. These services include landing permit, flight supervision, navigation charges, flight planning including weather and NOTAM, 24-hour flight watch, flight follow-up, fuel uplift on credit bases, aircraft refueling coordination, flight catering, crew hotel arrangement, ground transportation, passenger handling, cargo ground handling, ramp services at the airport, weather and NOTAM briefings, arrival/departure general declaration clearance from government authorities, and security arrangements for passengers, crew, and aircraft. These services are accessible in any combination to suit your needs.
Passenger business charter flights
The airline must provide the following information about the passengers on board: their passport numbers, nationalities, addresses, contact numbers in Pakistan, purposes of travel, aircraft specifications, copies of the AOC and AWC with validities, confirmation of comprehensive insurance coverage as per the ICAO Montréal convention 1999, tentative stays of each passenger in Pakistan and proposed dates of departure, and details of any cargo on board. The inviting organization, company, or person must provide a confirmation letter of invitation for business charter flights.
Helicopter flights
Security agencies will issue permission for Helicopter flights operating at an altitude below 10000 ft. in coordination with them, for which at least 15 days’ notice is required.
Military flight clearances
Air Headquarters gives clearances for all military flights operated by military aircraft and to military/civil airfields.
Removal of disabled aircraft
The owner or user of the aircraft removes it as soon as possible when it wrecks on a runway. If they do not remove the wrecked aircraft quickly, the aerodrome authority will remove it at the owner’s or user’s expense.
Passenger and Baggage Handling
Staff assists departing passengers from check-in to boarding and arriving passengers until their baggage is delivered to make their travel comfortable and memorable. Automated check-in through SITA CUTE reduces waiting time at check-in counters and boarding gates. The airport handles lost and found baggage through the most modern World Tracer System and informs passengers of the status.
Cabin Services
With adequate supervision, the cabin cleaning staff always ensures that cleanliness and tidiness are maintained by fulfilling their contractual obligations and deploying a dedicated team to clean toilets and galleys. The airport understands that the proper appearance of aircraft and comfort for flight passengers play an essential role in upgrading an airline’s image and thus prioritize maintaining hygienic conditions.
Security and Services
Begum Nusrat Bhutto International airport employs thoroughly trained and committed ex-armed forces staff who can work according to the individual requirements of the airlines. Security is maintained at the baggage segregation area, transporting baggage/cargo, and loading/unloading aircraft/terminal regions.
Additional Facilities at Sukkur Airport
1 Air passenger rights
2 Booking conditions
3 Overseas Pakistanis
4 Track your cargo
FAQs
What is the airport code for Sukkur airport?
The IATA code for Sukkur airport is SKZ, and the ICAO Code for Sukkur Airport is OPSK.
How far is Sukkur airport from Karachi?
Approximately 474.7 kilometers separate Sukkur Airport and Karachi. It takes about 7 hours and 7 minutes to travel this distance by car via the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway and NH 5. The space may vary depending on the route and mode of transportation chosen.
Conclusion
Sukkur airport provides passengers with excellent facilities and amenities as well as flights across the world. The airport is also used in emergencies and poor weather conditions. Whether you want to fly from Sukkur or travel to Sukkur, plenty of options are available to meet your needs and help you get there!