Islamabad airport is a major airport constructed to serve the population of metropolitan Islamabad and Rawalpindi and their neighborhood areas. It is located near the junction of motorways and Kashmir highway. It is almost 20 kilometers west of Islamabad and Rawalpindi’s twin cities.
Islamabad international airport is the largest passenger airport that replaced the Benazir Bhutto airport. It starts operating functioning from 3rd May 2018. Now, Nur Khan PAF base is also its part. Islamabad airport can handle around nine million passengers in a year in its first phase.
It can be expanded, handling and facilitating around 25 million passengers annually. A lot of passenger-related facilities are available at the airport.
Here are all the details regarding Islamabad international airport – flights, facilities, and other details are mentioned.
History
Pakistan Islamabad international airport’s history began when the Pakistan civil aviation authority in January 2005 decided to structure and build a new airport in Islamabad for the public. For this purpose, 3242 acres of land were purchased for 2.5 billion near Fateh Jang Attock.
But its construction was scheduled later so that the passenger rate should be increased annually from the already Benazir international airport.
Later, ex-president General Pervaiz Musharraf and prime minister Shaukat Aziz laid the foundation of Islamabad airport. The Pakistan civil aviation authority fully funded the Islamabad airport project. A French firm in Singapore named ADPi, and CPG completely designed the project.
A British architecture team was hired for this project. Its design was built to meet all the international standards and acts as a hub for all functions of Pakistan civil aviation.
Also, for facilitating management and other services, the provision agreement was signed with the US “Louis Berger Group” and Pakistan consultancy companies GT AASR and PCAA.
Location
Islamabad airport location was selected in one of the Attock district Ranjha, Fateh Jang. It was a few kilometers distance from the M1 and M2 motorways intersections.
Now its locations can be found on HR4M plus GJ7 in new Islamabad at airport road, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi, the country’s capital.
Inauguration and arrival of flights
Islamabad international airport project was of 5 years, but it was completed in 2018 in almost 12 years. The result was the rise of the budget three times as given in the initial budget.
Finally, in April 2018, Islamabad international airport was inaugurated by prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
The first international flight, A380 from Dubai, arrived at Islamabad’s Pakistan airport on 8th July 2018. Also, the PIA flights hub was moved to Islamabad airport.
Later on, as most of the passengers originate from the northern areas, all the operations of the flights were shifted to Islamabad. But in the 2019 pandemic, most international and domestic flights were suspended. But now it is functioning properly.
Flights Schedule
Islamabad airport flight schedule is available at the airport and on their official website. So, people can check the flight details and much more about them such as incoming and outgoing.
Facilities
Some of the Islamabad airport facilities are the following.
Passenger Facilitation services
Passenger facility services (travelers portal services) are available at Islamabad airport for 24 hours to provide comfort and convenience. It helps the passengers where they need to go, where they have to submit the luggage, and much more. This type of service is usually beneficial for passengers having heavy luggage. Some of the services are the following.
Arrivals
- The lounge areas are available for domestic and international arriving passengers.
- For domestic passengers, the lounge is near the arrival belt 7, but for internationals, it is around the custom counter.
Departing passengers
- There is concourse area -III for the domestic and international departing passengers.
- The concourse area charges domestic and international passengers Rs. 200 and Rs. 400, respectively.
Guide
- Passenger guides and cautions available at the airport show which things passengers can hold and which things are prohibited.
Trolleys
- Baggage trolleys for the passenger with heavy and extra luggage are available. Around 2200 complimentary baggage trolleys are available at the Islamabad airport.
Special care for old or disabled passengers:
- There are privileged facilities and services for the old and disabled passengers. These types of passengers notify their needs of their airline ahead.
- Also, airline helpline service is available through which they can contact for service.
- Parking areas for special passengers are also available.
Bank, ATM, and Currency Exchange Services
There are various banks, ATMs, and currency exchange services at the international Islamabad airport. Bank of MCB, HBL, UBL, bank al-Habib limited, Allied bank, and national bank of Pakistan are available at the airport.
Currency exchange service of various countries is also available at the royal international exchange, Muhammad exchange, and National Bank of Pakistan.
There are three ATMs at the airport, one HBL and two Allied banks in the passenger terminal building. Allied Bank one ATM is at level 2 visitor gallery, the other is at level 3 international departure, and the HBL ATM is at level 2 visitor gallery.
Shopping, Hotels, and restaurants
There are also shopping centers, hotels, and restaurants for the passengers. There are three hotels named PC, Marriot, and Serena.
Shopping and refreshment services are available at the airport. Bread&co, coffee planet, discover, and bell centers are available in the departure of domestic/international level 3. In visitor gallery level 2 refreshment center and AVEL requisite shop are available.
Lounge for airline and CIP
Three CIP lounges are available, one in the domestic departure area and the other in the international departure area. Domestic passenger charges for lounge use are less than the international departure passengers.
Wi-Fi service
Wi-Fi free service is available for the passengers. Passengers are having active Pakistan SIM check the CAA free Wi-Fi in the networks, connect it, and start browsing. But the passengers from foreign countries should visit the information counter to get the Wi-Fi code.
Medical services
The medical service terminal located at Level 1 in the passenger terminal building consists of a doctor’s room, examination room, and reception area.
Other facilities
Other facilities include mobile charging booths, prayer rooms, a smoking lounge, baggage wrapping, and car rental.
Contact Details
Islamabad airport contact details are available on their official website https://islamabadairport.com.pk/Management.aspx. Here you can get all the contact details of the airport manager, terminal manager, and other details.
Best places near Islamabad Airport
Some of the best places that are worthy of visiting are mentioned here.
- Pakistan railways heritage museum is located at a distance of 9.4 miles from the international Islamabad airport.
- Blue world city’s horse Mascot of Islamabad is near the international airport at a distance of 6.8 miles.
- The National University of sciences and technology, Islamabad, is at 9.9 miles distance from the international airport.
End words
All the details about Islamabad airport, history, flight schedule, and facilities are above. If you are traveling from Islamabad airport, then these details will be helpful.
