In this Post
Facts About Lahore Airport
Lahore International Airport – Intro
Lahore Airport Security
AIIA Terminals
AIIA Lounges
Code of Lahore Airport
Airport’s History
Location of Lahore Airport
How to Get to Lahore Airport
Passengers Guidelines
Baggage Guidelines
Operating Airlines
Facilities at AIIA
Arrival/Departure Procedures
Necessary Documents
Airport’s Contact Information
Lahore Airport is one of the busiest international airports in Pakistan. It is the third-largest airport in the country by traffic after the Islamabad International Airport and Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. It was officially known as the Lahore International Airport until it was renamed as the Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIA). The airport has been named after Allama Iqbal, the great poet-philosopher of the east.
Well, we’ll be discussing everything you need to know about the very famous Lahore Airport in this blog as here we have put together a detailed guide on it. So, let’s begin by taking a look at some interesting facts about Lahore Airport.
Quick Facts About Lahore Airport
More About Allama Iqbal International Airport
Handling millions of passengers and thousands of tonnes of cargo annually, Allama Iqbal International Airport is one of the busiest international airports in the country. As of now, the airport has three terminals: the Allama Iqbal terminal (for domestic/international flights), the Hajj terminal (for Hujjaj arrival/departure), and a cargo terminal.
The airport spans over 1,364 acres of land. The facility comprises the terminal complex (Allama Iqbal terminal), which was built in the 2000s, the old terminal building (Hajj terminal), two lounges: the state Lounge (CIP lounge), and the Hajj lounge. There are also two runways and a parking space for around 22 aircraft. The runway of the airport is wide enough to easily handle aircraft as large as Boeing 747.
Security Measures at Lahore Airport
Like other airports around the country, the security of Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore is jointly looked after by Civil Aviation Management and the Airport Security Force. There is a CCTV camera installed at every corner of the airport for surveillance. Along with it, there are metal detectors and some of the latest security equipment put to use for the safety of passengers.
Terminals at Allama Iqbal International Airport
The three terminals of the Allama Iqbal International Airport handle 75-80 flights a day altogether. Let’s learn about some details about these terminals.
Allama Iqbal Terminal is the newest air terminal complex at the Lahore airport, which opened in March 2003. It provides all the state of the art facilities to passengers as per the latest standards.
The new terminal building significantly increased the annual passenger-handling capacity of the airport. It hasn’t only enlarged the airport but also reflects the Mughal history of Lahore with its magnificent structure.
On the other hand, the old terminal complex is now specifically used for the flight operations of Hajj, which is why it has now been termed as the Hajj terminal.
Lounges at Allama Iqbal International Airport
There are three lounges at Allama Iqbal International Airport. Two of them are CIP lounges (for international/domestic flights) and one is the Hajj Lounge. Let’s get to know more about them.
CIP Lounge (Domestic/International Flights): The CIP lounge for international flights is also known as the State lounge. Both CIP lounges operate 24/7 mainly for departing flights. They are equipped with both basic and modern facilities like cafeterias, newspapers, TV, internet facilities, and WiFi. The facilities of the CIP lounge can be availed for free by business-class passengers. The services are also free for platinum credit cardholders.
Hajj Lounge: The Hajj lounge is also equipped with all the modern features to facilitate the passengers. It has WiFi, snacks and food bars, flight monitors, TV, and newspaper.
Code of Lahore Airport
The International Airport Transport Association (IATA) awards a unique code to all the international airports around the world. The basic aim of this organisation is to ensure smooth and secure international flight operations. The IATA airport code for the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, is LHE.
Similarly, there is another international organisation known as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It looks after the international traffic control and flight plans. It also has provided a unique code to the Lahore Airport for operational purposes that is OPLA.
History of Lahore International Airport
Lahore Airport enjoys a very interesting history. For a very long time, before and after the independence, Walton Airport remained the main airport of Lahore, which has now become the city’s famous flying club.
Things took a dramatic turn in the following years, especially, when Pakistan International Airlines(PIA) acquired its first Boeing 720. Walton Airport didn’t have enough capacity to handle the traffic of a jet aircraft. This is why the authorities decided to build a brand new airport with a larger capacity. As a result of these consequences, the Lahore International Airport was inaugurated in 1962.
As discussed, the biggest expansion project that took place at Lahore airport was in the 2000s. Keeping in view the constantly increasing flight and passenger traffic, a new terminal complex was added to the structure in March 2003. The authorities also renamed it the Allama Iqbal International Airport. Now that you know about the history of Lahore Airport, let’s fetch some details about its location
Location of Lahore Airport
Just a few minutes’ drive away from the city’s many popular neighbourhoods, Lahore International Airport enjoys an ideal location. It is 15 kilometres north-east of the main city. The airport is directly linked to some of the city’s major expressways. You can directly access the airport using the route of Lahore Ring Road. While travelling through other roads, you can take the route of the Airport road and Airport avenue to get to your destination.
Some of the city’s most popular neighbourhoods are located near the Allama Iqbal International Airport. Garden Town, Model Town, and DHA Lahore are a few important names to mention in this regard. From all these neighbourhoods, it may hardly take you around 20 to 30 minutes to reach the airport, depending on the route you take and the traffic flow.
How to Get to Lahore Airport
As discussed, the location of Lahore Airport is easily accessible by major roads and expressways of the city. This means the passengers can use different means of transportation to reach the airport. There are different modes of transportation available in Lahore, which can easily get you to your destination. You can also make use of the feeder buses running around the city. These feeder buses are also linked with the Lahore metro bus system.
You can also call in the following cab service for your to and fro airport transportation.
METRO RADIO CAB
Address: Concourse Hall, Lahore Airport
Phone: 042-111-222-787
Website: http://www.metrocab.com.pk
CITY RADIO CAB
Address: Concourse Hall, Lahore Airport
Phone: 042-111-111-129
Email: cityradiocab@hotmail.com
You can also make use of app-based taxi services like Uber and Careem for your airport transportation. They also offer dedicated airport services to their customers. There are a number of vehicle options available in these services. The charges of to and fro airport transportation hover at around PKR 400-700.
By using one of them, you can book a car, rickshaw, and even a motorbike to pick you up from your doorstep and drop you at the airport or vice versa. However, don’t forget to read about safety tips for using a ride-hailing app in Pakistan before booking your ride.
Guidelines for Passengers Visiting the Lahore Airport
The civil aviation authority (CAA) management has laid down some rules for the passengers visiting the Lahore Airport for their own safety. Let’s take a look at some important guidelines among them.
- Do not carry any banned/restricted items /goods. Contact the concerned airline or its representative to get more information in this regard.
- Strictly follow all the instructions written on your airline ticket including the baggage weight limit policy.
- Take care of all your valuables, including currency, jewelry, laptop, mobile devices, camera, watch, and other things at the time of departure.
- It may always be in your best interest not to accept any items, including eatables from an unknown person at the airport.
- Never hand over any of your bags to anyone.
- Baggage search/screening from customs and the Airport Security Force (ASF) is a very important process.
- Obtain all important information regarding ticket/journey from your respective airline representative once you receive your boarding passes.
Baggage Guidelines
As per the Lahore airport website, here are the baggage guidelines for all domestic and international passengers.
- Avoid carrying liquids over 100ml in your hand-carry luggage
- For international travel, two pieces of baggage are allowed per person. The total weight shall not exceed 20kg. You can also check with your concerned airline for more information.
- In the case of excess baggage, an additional fee is typically applied. The amount of fee depends on your airline fare policy.
- Make it a practice to remove old baggage tags to avoid any inconvenience
- Always write your name, address, and destination name on the luggage so it can be easily found if lost or stolen.
Airline Operating at Lahore Airport
Currently, there are 18 airlines operating at Lahore Airport. They include 5 local airlines, which are, Pakistan International Airline (PIA), Air Blue, Air Indus, Serene Air, and Shaheen Airline. The rest of them are international airlines. Let’s take a look at the names and websites of these airlines, mentioned in the table below:
| Airline Name | Official Website |
| Serene Air | www.sereneair.com |
| Air Blue | www.airblue.com |
| Emirates | www.emirates.com |
| Gulf Air | www.gulfairco.com |
| Pakistan International Airline (PIA) | www.piac.com.pk |
| Qatar Airways | www.qatarairways.com |
| Saudi Arabian Airlines | www.saudiairlines.com |
| Shaheen Air | www.shaheenair.com |
| Etihad Airways | www.etihad.com |
| Air Indus | www.airindus.com |
| Air Arabia | www.airarabia.com |
| Iran Air | www.iranair.nl |
| Oman Air | www.omanair.com |
| Turkish Airline | www.turkishairlines.com |
| Fly Nas | www.flynas.com |
| Fly Dubai | www.flydubai.com |
| Thai Air | www.thaiairways.com |
| Kuwait Airways | www.kuwaitairways.com |
Facilities at Lahore Airport
How the CAA management facilitates the passengers at the Lahore international airport? We’ll discuss the key facilities at Lahore Airport in this regard.
- Porter Services
- Medical Services
- Banks, Money Exchanges and ATMs
- Coach Service Booking Counter
- Cafeterias and Restaurants
- Free WiFi
Porter Service: For your assistance, porter services are available at the Lahore airport. You can simply visit the CAA facilitation desk to book a porter that can help you in carrying your luggage. The rates of porter services are as follows:
For domestic flights: PKR 200
For international flights: PKR 400
Medical Services: CAA management has trained its staff to help patients who are in need of urgent medical aid. Ambulances are also available in the vicinity of the airport so the patient can be rushed to the hospital. The facility of a wheelchair is also available at the airport. For further information on medical assistance, you can visit the CAA facilitation desk.
Banks, Money Exchanges and ATMs: Different banks and money exchanges have their outlets at the Lahore international airport. These all are for the facilitation of passengers. Moreover, you’ll also see ATM machines all over the airport.
Coach Service Booking Centre: Daewoo Booking Centre is also available at the airport. You can use the following contact details to do so:
Daewoo Express Booking Counter
Address: Concourse Hall, AIIA, Lahore
Phone: 042-111-007-008
Cafeterias and Restaurants: There are three different places at the Lahore Airport that provide you with takeaway eatables and dine-in facilities. They include Lahore Restaurant, the Elbow Room, and the airport’s very own snack bar.
Free WiFi: Free internet access is available for passengers at the airport. You can simply connect your device with a free WiFi network of the Lahore international airport. For more information in this regard, you can get in touch with Lahore airport inquiry desk, which is CAA facilitation counter.
Arrival/Departure Procedures at Lahore International Airport
Here’s the procedure for all international and domestic flight passengers at Lahore airport arrivals and departure.
Arrival
All arriving domestic/international passengers will be navigated to the domestic arrival lounge through lift, escalator or stairs. Collect the respective baggage from the baggage conveyor belt (if you have any). From Lahore airport arrivals, now move towards the concourse hall. The next step is to exit the airport by boarding on your desired mode of transportation like a taxi, rickshaw, or a van.
Departure
All international and domestic passengers at Lahore airport departures are required to check the validity of their tickets and passports (for international flights) prior to the departure. Also, passengers at Lahore airport departures are requested to take a look at the information on security, immigration, and customs from the Lahore airport’s official website before arriving at the airport.
Necessary Documents for Passengers at Lahore Airport
Let’s take a look at the necessary documents for passengers at Lahore Airport. The list is for both international and domestic passengers.
For Domestic flights
- CNIC
- Valid Airline Ticket
For International Flights
- Valid Airline Ticket
- Valid Passport
- Valid Visa (if applicable)
- Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) / Smart Card / NICOP
- Photo Identification
- Health Certificate (if necessary)
- NOC or Ex-Pakistan Leave Documents (Mandatory for Government Employees)
For more information regarding documents, you can take help from Lahore airport inquiry desk, which is the CAA facilitation counter.
Contact Details of Lahore International Airport
The contact details of Lahore International Airport have been mentioned below:
Address: Allama Iqbal International Airport (AIIAP), Airport Road, Lahore
Phone: 042-99031000
Lahore Airport Website: www.lahoreairport.com.pk
Lahore Airport Email Address: info.lahore@caapakistan.com.pk
Here we wrap our detailed guide on Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore. We hope this guide will make visiting Lahore airport as a passenger easier for you since it gives you all the basic information about it. In case you have any questions or feedback related to our blog, feel free to get in touch with us at blog@zameen.com.
You can also take a look at our guides on Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, Islamabad International Airport, and Sialkot International Airport.
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*Cover photo and body images used in this blog are sourced from the facebook page of Allama Iqbal International Airport.
