Allama Iqbal International Airport

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Allama Iqbal International Airport
Lahore International Airport
علامہ اقبال بین الاقوامی ہوائی اڈا

IATA: LHE – ICAO: OPLA
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority
Serves Lahore
Elevation AMSL 698 ft / 213 m
Coordinates 31°31′17″N 74°24′09″E / 31.52139, 74.4025
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
18R/36L 9,000 2,900 Asphalt
18L/36R 11,024 3,310 Concrete

Allama Iqbal International Airport (IATA: LHE, ICAO: OPLA) is Pakistan's second largest civil airport after Jinnah International Airport. It is located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan and is commonly known as Lahore International Airport, it is named after Allama Iqbal who was a major proponent for the foundation of Pakistan. The airport currently has three terminals; the Allama Iqbal terminal, the Hajj terminal, and a cargo terminal. The airport is located about fifteen kilometres from the centre of the city.

Contents

[edit] History

At independence, Walton Airport was the main airport of the city. When PIA acquired jet-engined airliners such as the Boeing 720s, Walton was unable to handle the large aircraft. This meant that the Government decided to build a brand new airport which was inaugrated in 1962. It was commonly known as the "Lahore International Airport" and was able to handle aircraft as large as the Boeing 747.

Over the course of the next forty years the demand for air travel rose. It meant that the government decided to build a new world class airport to meet the growing needs for the future and improve the facilities for its passengers since the old airport was becoming obsolete. In 2003, "Allama Iqbal International Airport" was inaugrated and is now the second largest airport in Pakistan. All flights were switched to the new airport and the old airport was passed onto the military. However, during the Hajj period, the old airport is used as a Hajj Terminal by the national carrier, PIA.

[edit] Structure

The Allama Iqbal International Airport fully decorated to celebrate the Independence Day of Pakistan
The Allama Iqbal International Airport fully decorated to celebrate the Independence Day of Pakistan

The airport underwent a major renovation during the early twenty first century, which has not only enlarged the airport, but also beautified it with the building of new terminals built to reflect the Mughal history of the city. In fiscal year 2004-2005, over 3.0 million passengers used Allama Iqbal International Airport. 27,716 aircraft movements were registered. [1]

The brand new terminal includes many duty-free shops including restaurants, cafes, ice-cream parlours, confectionery shops, book and toy shops and a souvenir shop. There are many flat screen televisions that show live flight times in the national languages, Urdu and English. The airport has seven air-bridges that dock onto the aircraft during departures and arrivals at the terminal. The total parking spaces are 30. The airport can provide 32 parking spaces for commercial and jet aircraft.

Airport under construction in January, 2003.
Airport under construction in January, 2003.

Pakistan International Airlines is a major airline that flies out of Lahore as the flag carrier of Pakistan and uses the airport as a hub only second to Jinnah International Airport. There is an increasing demand from private Pakistani airlines and international airlines who operate out of Lahore for domestic and international operations. Many airlines are increasing their frequency out of Lahore since the new airport is able to cater to the growing needs of overseas and domestic passengers.

A brand new runway was built during the construction of Allama Iqbal International. According to the CAA, Runway 36R/18L is 3,310 meters long, 46 meters wide whilst Runway 36L/18R is 2,900 meters long, 46 meters wide.

In Pakistan, the use of the CIP lounge is available to only first class and business class passengers. In order to access the CIP lounge, Passengers must be issused a card from Check-in. It costs six dollars per passenger to gain access to the lounge. The CIP lounge has audio entertainment, newspapers, magazines, telephones, fax machines and free Wire-less Internet.

Many banks have opened branches in the new airport including Askari Commercial Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, United Bank Ltd, and ABN AMRO Bank. Habib Bank and MCB Bank Ltd have recently introduced ATM machines and foreign money exchange cashiers for passengers in the international sector.

[edit] Airlines and destinations

A PIA B747-367 departs Allama Iqbal International Airport
A PIA B747-367 departs Allama Iqbal International Airport
PIA Fokker F27 and Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F in the foreground
PIA Fokker F27 and Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F in the foreground
An Aero Asia B737-200 on finals to Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore
An Aero Asia B737-200 on finals to Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore

[edit] Domestic

[edit] International

[edit] Cargo

[edit] Charter

[edit] Previous carriers

[edit] The Hajj Terminal

A mobile phone advertisement in the baggage claim area
A mobile phone advertisement in the baggage claim area

On the inaugration of Allama Iqbal International Airport in 2003, the old airport was converted to handle the influx of passengers for the annual pilgrimage of Hajj to Saudi Arabia. The airport is used by the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines, however, negotations are underway to allow private and international airlines to operate from the airport.

[edit] Awards and recognitions

  • Allama Iqbal International Airport was ranked the world's leading airport by Singapore Airlines in service performance in 2006.[2]

[edit] Events

[edit] References

  1. ^ Aviation Statistics of Pakistan: CAA Pakistan
  2. ^ Lahore Allama Iqbal airport ranked world’s leading airport

[edit] Further reading

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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Airports in Pakistan
International airports
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