In This Post:
Overview of Sialkot Airport
Location of Sialkot Airport
Airlines operational at SIAL
Booking a flight from SIAL
Flight schedule on Sialkot Airport
Facilities at Sialkot International Airport
Sialkot Airport’s helpline number
Property investment near Sialkot Airport
Hotels near Sialkot Airport
FAQs about Sialkot International Airport
Similar to our recently published guides on Islamabad Airport and Karachi Airport, we’re now presenting a handy guide on Sialkot International Airport (SIAL) – Pakistan’s first Greenfield airport.
Sialkot is Pakistan’s main industrial city and one of the major destinations for foreign investors and traders visiting the country. With the high interest of businessmen, foreign traders, local population, and international visitors, there was dire need to build a new airport to facilitate the people coming to and from the city. As such, a plan to construct a new airport was proposed, and the location chosen was near Sialkot-Wazirabad Road and M1 Motorway.
So, if you are flying from or landing at this airport, here are the services available at the airport and what you can expect from SIAL. Keeping your convenience at bay, we have listed the major services and facilities available at Sialkot International Airport, along with its history of development, and other insights about the structure.
Without further ado, let’s fly!
About Sialkot International Airport
Sialkot – the city of Allama Iqbal – is a manufacturing giant. The city is known to produce several high-quality products, such as surgical and musical instruments, sports and leather goods, textiles, and other such goods that make up a good percentage of the country’s overall export. Infact, a large chunk of Pakistan’s exports come from this city, and hence, it is known as the second-largest source of foreign exchange earner for Pakistan. Owing to its ever-growing foreign trade and remittances, the business community of the city realised that there was a need to construct an airport within the city that will facilitate not only cargo but also the people who want to travel for both leisure and business.
In 2001, a plan to construct an airport was developed and proposed to the then-President of Pakistan. An approval to build an airfield based on Build, Own, and Operate (BOO) was awarded after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Chamber of Commerce, Sialkot, Ministry of Defence, and Civil Aviation Authority.
Right after the approval, various industrialists from the private sector of Sialkot, Gujranwala, and Gujrat were invited to participate in the development of the airport project, and that is how Sialkot International Airport – a privately owned airport – came into existence. As per the official website of Sialkot International Airport, the airport has brought a “great industrial revolution” to this region. As they’ve said and we quote:
“Sialkot airport is a unique project in the private sector and a very first of its kind in South East Asia. The regional dynamics, which were lacking in this part of the country, has started picking up after the commissioning of the airport. It has given a boost to the transportation of export cargo by air and facilitating a great number of businessmen and overseas Pakistanis of this particular region. It is attracting worldwide clients and we foresee major strategic changes in the region which will change the mind-set of the industrialists, exporters, and business community. It will direct unprecedented trade and business activities in the region. The Airport has brought about a great industrial revolution particularly in the employment of the residents of the cities forming an export triangle of Pakistan.”
CIP Lounge at Sialkot International Airport
SIAL houses a single lounge that can be used by business class passengers, first-class passengers, skywards platinum, and gold card economic class passengers. Please note that the CIP lounge at Sialkot International Airport can be used for a minimum charge of USD 10.
Important Structures at Sialkot International Airport
Located on Airport Road, Sialkot International Airport comprises a total of 1,014 acres of land which is further divided into:
- Amenities Block
- ATC Tower
- Cargo Complex
- Cargo Complex Mezzanine
- FCR Building
- Gate House
- Passenger Terminal
- WAPDA Room
- Water Tower
Code of Sialkot International Airport
The IATA airport code is issued by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to confirm the authority of operational airports globally. In order to operate international airlines, every airport must be listed with IATA since it ensures the safety and reliability factor of an airport. That being said, the IATA airport code of Sialkot International Airport is SKT.
Similarly, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is another international organisation that oversees air traffic and flight plans. The ICAO code of Sialkot International Airport is OPST.
Salient Features of Sialkot International Airport
Here’re some salient features of Sialkot International Airport:
- Sialkot International Airport has the honour of becoming Pakistan’s first-ever greenfield airport
- The airport also serves as a fuel farm and provides a maintenance ground to several air companies [both international and national].
- It is one of the biggest privately-owned international airbases in Pakistan.
- The airport houses a 3,600 metres long runway, the second-longest runway in the country.
- Nearly 1,000,000 passengers [from Sialkot and its neighbouring cities] are expected to benefit from this airport annually.
Now that you have all the background information about this airbase in Sialkot, let’s give you a virtual tour of the location of Sialkot International Airport.
Location of Sialkot International Airport
Located in Punjab and flourishing near the Chenab River, Sialkot is a city unlike any other. Besides holding a significant position in the history of Pakistan, this place wears the tag of being an important industrial city as well as the birthplace of Allama Iqbal – perhaps the greatest Muslim poet.
Sialkot is mostly known for two reasons. Firstly for its international ties in the tourism and trade industry and secondly for hosting Pakistan’s first and largest privately-owned airport that facilitates both domestic and international passengers.
Situated around 14 km west of Airport Road in Sialkot, SIAL is closely connected to three main arteries of the city: Daska Road, Sialkot-Wazirabad Road, and Sialkot-Lahore (M1) Motorway. If we further analyse the location of Sialkot International Airport, we can see it is situated near many popular residential areas and schemes, such as Wazirabad Road, Kashmir Road, and PGSHF. Not to mention its linkages with major bus stops and Sambrial Railway Station.
Considering all this, we can clearly see that this airbase in Sialkot is playing a considerable role in enhancing the daily lives of locals and visitors and redefining communication and transportation along the way.
Pro tip: Check out which areas in Sialkot are nearest to SIAL by navigating to Zameen Area Guides.
Airlines Operational at SIAL
The most significant air companies operating directly to and from Sialkot International Airport are mentioned in the table below, along with their contact information and official website.
Note: Please note that the information shared below has been extracted from the official website of SIAL.
| Airline Name | Contact Number | Official Website |
| Emirates | 345-71683 | www.emirates.com |
| Pakistan International Airline (PIA) | 111-786-786 | www.piac.com.pk |
| Qatar Airways | 990-715-39 | www.qatarairways.com |
| Fly Dubai | 111-111-139 | www.flydubai.com |
| Air Arabia | 111-272-242 | www.airarabia.com |
| Gulf Air | 345-923-24 | www.gulfairco.com |
| Salam Air | 458-1046-48 | www.salamair.com |
| Saudi Gulf | N/A | www.saudigulfairlines.com |
How to Book a Flight from Sialkot International Airport?
Booking a flight from Sialkot to your desired destination is quite easy. Similar to any other airport, Sialkot International Airport features several airlines [mentioned above], all you need is to either give them a call at their contact numbers or visit their official websites.
Flight Schedule at Sialkot Airport
Checking the flight schedule at Sialkot Airport is extremely straightforward. Here’s what you need to do:
- Step 1: Visit the official website of SIAL.
- Step 2: Once the page opens, just scroll down.
- Step 3: You will have all the information on both cancelled and operational flights, as shown in the image below.
When to Arrive for Your Flight?
Since checking-in and boarding could take an unexpected portion of your time, it is recommended to arrive at least a few hours prior to your scheduled flight. Not to mention, airport arrival time also mainly depends on the schedule of your flight and your destination. However, we have explained the estimated arrival time below:
- Arriving at least 2 hours before your flight is recommended to passengers flying domestically.
- If you travel frequently, you would know that international flights follow a rather strict and lengthy process of transfers. So, it is best to arrive at least 4 hours before your flight.
Facilities at Sialkot International Airport
These are the facilities currently being offered at Sialkot International Airport:
- Passenger Porter Services
- Prayer Area
- Car Rental Services
- Financial Services
- Duty-Free Shops
- Bank and ATM Facilities
- Restaurant and Kiosks
Passenger Porter Services
Sialkot Airport boasts Passenger Porter Services (PPS) upon request. If you avail this service from the airport, you will be able to move your luggage from drop-lane to check-in counters and from baggage claim to pick-up lane. Here are the charges of Passenger Porter Services at SIAL:
For Domestic Passengers: PKR 100/-
For International Passengers: PKR 200/-
Prayer Area
There’s a dedicated prayer area at Sialkot Airport that can be used by the Muslim passengers waiting for their flight to arrive. Also, the airport mosque is situated within the domestic and international lounges, where men and women can take care of their religious obligations. As per the official website, “The prayer rooms are decorated to create the right setting for Muslim prayers”.
Car Rental Services
Sialkot International Airport exclusively features car rental services in association with Daewoo Car services. The company features air-conditioned cabs made available to passengers. If you are taking a cab from the airport, they will take you to your destination, and vice versa. Further, you can locate the booking counters outside the airport terminals. You can easily book a Daewoo cab to and from the airport by calling them at the contact number given below or visit their official website:
Daewoo Cab Contact Number: 052-111323966
Official Website: www.daewoocab.com.pk
Pro Tip: Call the inquiry number and book a cab in advance to avoid any hassle.
Financial Services
D.D Exchange Company Private Limited is operating under the umbrella of financial services at SIAL. As the name implies, it is a money exchange facility at SIAL that operates under the Foreign Exchange Regulation ACT, 1947. Besides, it can be traced in major cities of Pakistan as it promises to provide safe, convenient, and speedy financial services aligned with the rules and regulations by Pakistan’s central bank.
D.D Exchange Company Contact Information:
Location: Sialkot International Airport Concourse Hall (Arrival), Sialkot.
Contact Number: 052-6633081-82
Toll-Free: 0800-33392
Email Address: info@ddexchange.com
Official Website: www.ddexchange.com
Duty-Free Shops
Currently, no duty-free shops are operating inside the premises of Sialkot International Airport. However, the airport management has promised to open duty-free shops soon. You can keep track of the information by navigating to the facilities section on the official website of SIAL.
Bank and ATM Facilities
For now, banking services at SIAL are offered by Habib Bank Limited, located within the airport premises. If you want to explore more about the financial services being offered by HBL at SIAL, it is best to call them on their helpline. We have mentioned different mediums that you can use to reach HBL’s representatives:
Contact Number: 052-3505503
UAN: 111-111-425
HBL’s Email Address: customer.complaints@hbl.com
Official Website: www.hbl.com
Restaurants and Kiosks
Sialkot International Airport has an abundant number of restaurants and kiosks serving scrumptious food and beverages.
Sialkot Airport’s Helpline and Inquiry Number
Sialkot Airport’s helpline is available round-the-clock to facilitate passengers and people who want to fetch some information about the airport. If you want any details about flights or schedule, you can call the Sialkot Airport’s contact number mentioned below:
Sialkot Airport’s Contact Number: 052-111-742575
Sialkot Airport’s Email Address: info@sial.com.pk
Sialkot Airport’s Official Website: https://www.sial.com.pk/
So, these were just a few of the many amenities, facilities, and services featured at Sialkot International Airport, with many more being developed to serve both national and international passengers. Now, let’s take a look at some property investment opportunities near Sialkot Airport.
Property Investment near Sialkot Airport
If you have been following our blog, you might have noticed how we love to explore different real estate scenarios. As such, in one of our past posts on living near an airport, we had already discussed how location can affect a property’s value. We had also discussed some pros and cons of buying a property near the airport.
That being said, we would also like to mention that living near an airport is becoming increasingly common in Pakistan. So, if you are considering a property investment near Sialkot Airport, here’re some of the best options that you must look into:
- Garden Town
- Royal Gardens Housing Scheme
- Airport Avenue Housing
- Happy Valley Housing Scheme
- Palm City
Hotels near Sialkot International Airport
Passengers planning to visit the city for business, tourism, or any other purpose, have several options to stay close to the airport. The hotels mentioned below are also featured on the official website of Sialkot International Airport. We are also mentioning their contact details if you want to fetch some information or make reservations:
Hotel the Jeevens
- Address: Kashmir Road, Near Passport Office, Sialkot-Punjab. Pakistan
- Contact Number: 052-3241597 and 052-3573502
- Email Address: info@hotelthejeevens.com
- Official Website: www.hotelthejeevens.com
Hotel Javson
- Address: Defence Road, Sialkot-51310.
- Contact Number: +92 (52) 324 2971, 73, 75
- Email Address: reservation@hoteljavson.com
- Official Website: www.hoteljavson.com
Hotel Akbar’s Kinara
- Address: River Chenab, GT Road, Wazirabad.
- Contact Number: 053-3589555, 3589572, & 3589111
- Email Address: frontoffice@akbarskinara.com
- Official Website: www.akbarskinara.com
Hotel Taj Palace
- Address: Kutchery Road, Sialkot.
- Contact Number: 052-4265048, 4274831, and 4270034
- Email Address: info@taj.com.pk
- Official Website: www.taj.com.pk
Hotel Denver
- Address: 100-A, Aziz Shaheed Road Sialkot Cantt.
- Contact Number: 052-4296661-4
- Email Address: N/A
- Official Website: N/A
FAQs about Sialkot International Airport
SIAL is much more than just an airbase to catch a flight, or do some duty-free shopping – it is among the largest investments the people of this city have ever made.
Where to Call For Baggage Inquiry?
The minute you notice that your luggage is being mishandled or missing, you can contact Baggage Lost and Found services at SIAL or call your airline directly. Additionally, Sialkot Airport has reserved a separate room for lost or found luggage. So, if you ever find yourself in this position, here’s the number that you should call:
Contact Number Lost & Found: 052-6633062
How to Check-In at Sialkot International Airport?
The procedure of checking-in at Sialkot International Airport has not been discussed on the official website. However, the general process of checking-in at any airport is quite easy and almost similar around the world. You can check-in at SIAL within a few simple steps:
- Right after you cross the security, find your respective airline, and show them your ticket details.
- They will ask for your luggage, so handover your luggage to the airline staff. Make sure your hand-carry stays with you.
- Receive your boarding pass from the airline staff before you proceed any further.
What Items Aren’t Permitted at SIAL?
The official website of SIAL doesn’t clarify what is and isn’t allowed at the airport. Since it is a registered airport of the CAA, make sure you are not carrying any illegal items. Generally, the items mentioned below are strictly prohibited inside the premises of an airport:
- Bogus currency or items
- Currency more than PKR 3,000 or USD 10,000 (or equivalent foreign currency)
- Heroin, drugs, sedatives, or any other intoxicating agents
- Historically valuable possessions
- Intellectual property right infringements and illegal media
- Weapons, ammunition, and explosives
- Wildlife species, fauna, and flora that are in the danger of extinction
- Any other items protected under the Wild Life Act and Cites
For further assistance or information on this subject, you can visit the Custom or FBR’s official website.
So, this was our complete guide to Sialkot International Airport. We have tried to cover every possible aspect of this airfield to make your experience more convenient and stress-free. However, if we have missed anything, let us know at blog@zameen.com.
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Disclaimer: The information in this blog has been extracted from the official sources and websites of the Sialkot International Airport. This blog aims to provide a handy guide to Sialkot International Airport to the readers for smooth navigation. We’d also like to mention that Zameen.com is not responsible in case if the information alters or contradicts the official sources. However, we take the responsibility of updating the information timely.
Note: Some images in this post, including the cover image, have been sourced from the official page of Sialkot International Airport.
