Allama Iqbal International Airport is the second largest civil airport in Pakistan, serving Lahore, the capital of Punjab province as well a large portion of the travellers from the Punjab province. Originally known as Lahore International Airport, it was renamed in after one of the pioneers that led to the creation of Pakistan. The airport currently has three terminals: the Allama Iqbal terminal, the Hajj terminal and a cargo terminal.
The airport is located about 15 km from the centre of the city. A total
of 3,192,904 passengers travelled through Allama Iqbal International
Airport in 2009 making it the second busiest airport in Pakistan.[4]Post independence
At the time of the creation of Pakistan, Walton Airport was the main airport of Lahore. When Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) acquired its first Boeing 720
Walton was unable to handle the load of a jet aircraft. The Government
of Pakistan decided to build a brand new airport, which opened in 1962.[5] The airport had a specifically built runway and apron to handle aircraft up to the Boeing 747. This allowed Lahore to open its gates to the world.[6] PIA initiated direct flights to Dubai and London via Karachi.
AIIA Terminal
Over the course of the next twenty five years the demand for air
travel rose. It meant that the government had to build a new airport to
meet the growing needs for of the region. In March 2003, a new terminal
was inaugurated by General Pervez Musharraf originally commissioned by
then ex prime minister Nawaz Sharif. The airport was named Allama Iqbal International Airport and became the second largest airport in Pakistan after Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.
All flights were switched to the new airport and the old airport was
passed onto the military. However, the government later reclaimed the
airport from the military and developed it into a Hajj terminal.
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority awarded the main contract to
Airsys ATM, leader of a consortium with J&P Overseas Ltd, an
international building and civil engineering contractor. Airsys ATM is a
joint project from Thomson-CSF Airsys and Siemens, dedicated to air
traffic management systems and airport development. The Airports Group
in the UK was also awarded a $70m contract for airport systems
construction. The project was implemented by a consortium of Joannou
& Paraskevaides (J&P), responsible for civil and building works,
and the Airports Group, responsible for the systems implementation.
Airsys ATM and Thales ATM were responsible for the fabrication and
installation of the air bridges at the new terminal.[7]
In 2008, the national flag carrier of the UAE, Etihad Airways, opened a dedicated aircraft line maintenance
facility in Lahore. The facility is equipped with the latest technology
and equipment, which will be used for all day-to-day technical line
maintenance on Etihad aircraft including hydraulic structural and
instrument checks.[8]
Expansion Plans
On 3 March 2014, the Prime Minister approved the expansion plans for the extension of the AIIA terminal.[9]
On 8 February 2015, the Hajj terminal was completely renovated with new
check in, lounges and security facilities in anticipation of the Hajj
season.[10]At the inauguration of Multan International Airport
in 2015, the Prime Minister, announced that both sides of the terminal
will be extended. The airport will have a separate terminal for domestic
passengers.[11]
It was also announced that a new wide body aircraft hangar would be
built at the airport to accommodate aircraft as large as the Boeing 777.[12]LHE is fitted with all the essentials for domestic and international
flights. The information below is correct as of April 2015 in regard to
the AIIA Terminal.
- Lounges
- Separate domestic & international departure lounges. (Capacity 1,200 passengers each).
- Separate mens and women prayer rooms in both domestic & international lounges.
- One business class lounge (international departures).
- PTCL & Card-operated telephones (PCOs) are available within the lounges.
- Several duty-free shops including food and drink counters.
- Free internet Wi-Fi access.
- The Elbow Room (Coffee & Bakery snacks)
- Traditional Pakistani Sweets counters
- Apron
- 7 air bridges with PSS & APSS facilities.
- 23 remote parking stands.
- Runway
- Two parallel runways one concrete the other asphalt.
- Runway 36R/18L: 3,310 meters long, 46 meters wide. Max capacity: Boeing 747.
- Runway 36L/18R: 2,900 meters long, 46 meters wide. Max capacity: Airbus A300.
- Parallel taxi way for rapid entry/exit.
- Instrument Landing System Category-II. Tender issued for CAT-III.[14]
- Navigational Aids: DVOR/DME/TDME, NDB, OM, MM
- Airport Services
- Pakistan State Oil provide fuel services to all airlines flying out of the airport. (Jet A-100)
- Fire fighting and Rescue Services. Category: 9
- FIDS systems located in the lounges and briefing concourses showing television programmes and flight information.
- Airport Mosque located outside the airport left hand side of the terminal building.
- CAA Porter services and Metro cab services are available.
- Custom and Immigration for international flights.
- Cargo and luggage wrapping services.
- Passenger assistance services (upon request).
- ATMs provided by MCB and Habib Bank Limited. The MCB ATM is linked to MasterCard; the Habib Bank is linked to VISA. Both are linked to China UnionPay and to the domestic 1LINK and MNET switches.
- Nirala Sweets and Dunkin Donuts counters located landside of terminal.
- Ground Handling Agents
- Pakistan International Airlines.
- Shaheen Airport Services (SAPS).
- Royal Airport Services (RAS).
- Gerry's Dnata Ground Handling & Cargo.
- Additional
- Airfield Restrictions: None
Airlines and destinations
Allama Iqbal International Airport connects Lahore with 44 cities worldwide (including domestic destinations) by both passenger and cargo flights.
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