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Chilas Airfield

Non-Flying Base

Location Details

Location
Chilas, Diamer District
Province
Gilgit-Baltistan
Air Command
Northern Air Command
ICAO Code
OPCL
Latitude
35.4269°
Longitude
74.0850°

Runways

Direction
N/A
Length
1,372 m (4,500 ft)
Surface
Paved

History

1927: Built by British Raj to support movement of troops and government officials

After independence: Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) developed it for Karakoram Highway construction

FWO and PAF utilized airfield until 1970

1970: Became disused/inactive

2008-2013: Proposals to transform into international airport (did not materialize)

2018: WAPDA constituted high-level board for reactivation

Nine-member board with CAA, WAPDA, and PAF officials assessed airfield

Purpose: Support Diamer-Bhasha Dam construction for WAPDA and China Power Investment Corp

Located in catchment area of Diamer-Basha Dam

Will be submerged when dam reservoir is filled

Important Events

1927

Airfield built by British Raj for troop and official movement support

1947-1970

Post-independence: FWO and PAF utilized airfield for Karakoram Highway construction

1970

Airfield became disused and inactive

2008-2013

Pakistan Peoples Party government proposed international airport transformation (not realized)

2018

WAPDA formed board with CAA and PAF to reactivate airfield for Diamer-Bhasha Dam construction logistics and tourism

Future

Scheduled to be submerged when Diamer-Basha Dam reservoir fills

Location on Map

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BASE CATEGORY
Non-Flying Base
NOTES
Historic British Raj airfield (1927). Currently inactive. Operator: Pakistan Airports Authority. Will receive minor upgrades for Diamer-Bhasha Dam construction support before eventual submersion in dam reservoir. IATA: CHB

Quick Facts

Established:1927 (British Raj)
Elevation:1,264 m (4,146 ft)
Runways:1
Status:Operational