Muzaffarabad Airport has no scheduled passenger flights. The airport exists, with the code MFG, but it has been non-operational since 2005 and there is no PIA or private airline service to or from it as of September 2026. This guide explains why the airport is closed, what is planned for it, and the quickest practical ways to reach Muzaffarabad and Azad Kashmir instead.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Airport code | MFG (IATA), OPMF (ICAO) |
| Status | Closed to scheduled flights since 2005 |
| Runway | About 914 metres (3,000 feet), too short for most airliners |
| Nearest working airport | Islamabad International Airport |
| Road distance to Islamabad Airport | Roughly 150 to 160 km |
| Fastest way in without flying | Road via Murree and Kohala, about 3.5 to 4.5 hours from Islamabad |
Why doesn't Muzaffarabad have flights?
Scheduled commercial services to Muzaffarabad had already wound down by the early 2000s as passenger numbers fell, and the airport's runway, at around 914 metres, is too short for the aircraft used on most domestic routes today. The airport saw its last significant use for relief flights immediately after the October 2005 earthquake that devastated the city, and it has remained non-operational since, downscaled by the Civil Aviation Authority in 2006.
Officials have periodically inspected the site and discussed reviving it. A 2015 Civil Aviation Authority proposal called for runway extensions and improved navigation facilities, and a 2023 inspection by government officials and a private carrier looked at what upgrading the electricity supply and security fencing would take. None of this has produced a working passenger service.
Is a new airport actually being built?
There is a genuine plan, though it is still early. In 2025 the Pakistan Airports Authority approved construction of a new international airport at Muzaffarabad, alongside one at Sukkur, as part of a wider push to expand regional air connectivity. The project was costed at around PKR 2 billion, land acquisition work has been reported as underway, and completion was targeted within about five years of that approval. Treat this as a project in progress rather than something to plan a trip around; there is no confirmed opening date, and past attempts to revive Muzaffarabad's air links have moved slowly.
The nearest working airport
Islamabad International Airport, near Fateh Jang outside the capital, is the nearest airport with scheduled flights, both domestic and international. From there it is a road journey of roughly 150 to 160 km to Muzaffarabad, and while the straight-line distance is modest, the route runs over the Murree hills or through Abbottabad, so allow a proper few hours rather than judging the trip by distance alone.
How to actually get to Muzaffarabad
With no flights, the road is the only way in, and there are two routes worth knowing:
- Via Murree and Kohala. The route most cars, coasters and vans use, crossing the Jhelum at Kohala Bridge into Azad Kashmir. In good conditions this takes roughly three and a half to four and a half hours from Islamabad, though Murree traffic on weekends and holidays, and snow in winter, can add significantly to that.
- Via Abbottabad and Garhi Habibullah. Longer in distance but mostly on the Hazara Motorway, and a useful alternative when Murree is jammed or under snow, or if you are combining the trip with Kaghan.
Coasters and hired cars run this route daily from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and it is also possible to come from Lahore by road, joining the same routes north of Islamabad. Our guide to getting from Islamabad to Muzaffarabad covers both routes, journey times and fares in detail.
Should you plan around Muzaffarabad Airport reopening?
No, not for a trip in the foreseeable future. Even with a new airport project approved, construction timelines for this kind of infrastructure in Pakistan often run longer than initial estimates, and there is no fixed date to book against. If your itinerary depends on flying directly into Muzaffarabad, plan on driving instead, and check back on the airport's status closer to your travel dates if it matters to you.
For the rest of a trip built around Muzaffarabad and the valleys beyond it, our Kashmir destination page is a good starting point, and our five-day Neelum Valley Escape handles the road transfer from Islamabad as part of the itinerary. Our travel guide covers documents, connectivity and other practical planning across the north and Azad Kashmir alike.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any flights to Muzaffarabad?
No. Muzaffarabad Airport has had no scheduled passenger flights since 2005, and there is no PIA or private airline service there as of September 2026.
Why did Muzaffarabad Airport close?
Passenger numbers had already declined by the early 2000s, and the runway, at about 914 metres, is too short for most aircraft used on domestic routes today. It last saw significant use for earthquake relief flights in 2005 and was formally downscaled in 2006.
Is a new airport being built in Muzaffarabad?
A new international airport was approved by the Pakistan Airports Authority in 2025, with a roughly five-year construction timeline and a budget of about PKR 2 billion. It has not opened, and no confirmed date has been set.
What is the nearest working airport to Muzaffarabad?
Islamabad International Airport, roughly 150 to 160 km away by road, a drive of about three and a half to four and a half hours depending on the route and traffic.
How do most people get to Muzaffarabad?
By road from Islamabad or Rawalpindi, either via Murree and Kohala or via Abbottabad and Garhi Habibullah, by private car, hired car or coaster.
Is Azad Kashmir safe for overseas visitors?
Pakistani tourists travel there every year, but as of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control and against all but essential travel to the rest of Azad Kashmir, following 2026 protests that brought road blockades and long internet shutdowns. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice before you go, since travelling against it can void your insurance, and check local news and police advice before setting out either way.
