Lahore Airport by Riaz Murtaza

6 January 2009   Customer Rating :

Have used Lahore International airport several times during my travel to from Pakistan. It is small but beautiful and serves all the conveniences. I miss a good, nice and clean restaurant at the departure lounge. A coin telephone facility will also be very useful.

Lahore Airport by S Chaudry

17 July 2007   Customer Rating :

My flight from Chicago landed me at Lahore airport. Lahore airport new appearance is pleasing. However, customer service element was missing from every angle, or perhaps my expectations were too high. There was only one international flight at the time so immigration process was a breeze, but again pleasant side of good PR was no where to be found. At baggage claim I was stormed by porters who wanted to help me with my luggage. I was lucky to get away from them, but passed security, my luck ran out and suddenly some stranger was pushing my luggage without my permission, at that point I knew I had lost the battle. To be honest, after 18 hours of flight you barely have any strength left to fight anybody, so to make things go smoother, I suggest immediate surrender - it would definitely make your moments of reunion somewhat pleasant. Fancy building, modern roads and highways reflect progress, but we all know true progress occurs when we are mentally and intellectually progressed.

Lahore Airport by Mark Bickerton

20 November 2006   Customer Rating : n/a

Lahore International Dull, but lovely. I have passed through many times, both domestic and international, and checkin /immigration and always quick, and the airport is clean and quite relaxing. There is, however, nothing to see or do, and they seem to have dispensed with those waiters that offer you tea and cake that all other Pakistani airports have. Strangely, the one TV I saw last time I was there was showing WWE wrestling; most odd.

Lahore Airport by M S Sheikh

1 July 2005

I travelled to Lahore Club class by PIA and found their Club class facilities at the airport a bare minimal and dull. The only difference between the Economy class and the Club class facilities was the segregation between the two. The airport still lacks shops etc. I learnt from the few shop owners there that the rents that the authority charges for the shop premises are phenomenally high. 

Lahore Airport  by Z Akram

1 April 2005

The Architect has done an excellent job by designing a building which goes with the speciality of the City - Culture, especially the outer side. In contrast, the inner part has a much newer and modern look. The airport by itself has a star-rated approach but the staff is insufficient and above all inefficient. The immigration officers are slow. Lack of a quality Duty Free and Restaurants puts a negative point.

Lahore Airport  by Martin Novak

26 October 2004

I spent one hour there before the flight to Islamabad on 20thOctober. The airport is clean, spacious and staff in the snack-bar friendly. Very refreshing experience in the contrast with the tragically painful Islamabad airport.

Lahore Airport  by Martin Hathaway

4 April 2004

I arrived at the new terminal in Oct '03, the place is very smart. The new security is so slow, one hour to clear 400 travellers! Security guys were friendly and apologetic. Facilities in short supply and expensive.

Lahore Airport  by Zeshan Riaz

28 March 2004

Check in was easy even though you have to OPEN your bags there for the customs! Departure lounge lacks any good food outlets. The only shop in the lounge had sub standard stuff at sky high prices. Over all I rate the airport as brilliant but people working there still need a lot of training in customer service!

Lahore Airport  by Umar Qamar

3 February 2004

Lahore airport was small but neat. It's not that old shabby airport but still this airport needs alot of things like when 2 flights land in the same hour it will get hours to clear immigration. It's a hell for a transit traveller like it has no duty free, no entertainment and even PIA's lounge is not good. I think, Lahore airport should be expanded as it has the attributes to become a major airport in the region. Right now less than 15 flights are flown from Lahore daily. By expanding, Lahore airport can do a lot of business.

Lahore Airport  by M S Sheikh

28 January 2004

Year 2003 brought me a much looked for pleasant experience of landing at the new Lahore airport. It was a breath of fresh air. The airport is modern and spacious. Let us hope that it is not only kept like that but improves with time. However, long queues at check ins were tiring, due to too few check in positions /inefficient staff. There were almost no shops in the waiting areas. When I inquired about the lack of shops I was told that there were very few takers as the rents etc were too high. I have heard that the landing charges etc at Pakistan airports are one of the highest in the world. If true I wonder why. Perhaps the decision makers in Pakistan cannot see beyond their noses. They consider direct income from the airport as the real and only income. They don't seem to appreciate that making Pakistan airports attractive and inexpensive will bring a lot more money directly and indirectly.

Lahore Airport  by Shayaan Nadeem

28 December 2003

The New Lahore Airport definitely contrasts positively from its dilapidated predecessor. The old airport lacked everything one could now find in other major world-class airports. Despite the cleanliness and refurbished appearance of the Allama Iqbal Terminal, our CAA has let us down. There is an obvious lack of amenities and a shortage of space. During the busiest hours of departure, the terminal is packed with people and the check-in hall can give a person a feeling of claustrophobia. In the international departures, the immigration hall is deplorably small. Clearly, there is inadequate space at the airport to accommodate for the increasing number of both International and Domestic air travellers. The airport lacks in space for passengers AND parking gates for aircraft. Of course, the current air-traffic of our city does not require a massive airport, but the expected increase in air travel will definately have to see an expansion of the parking facilities. Already, there is often the need to park aircraft in their remote parking areas rather than near the terminal (with the boarding 'ramps'). There are three boarding ramps dedicated to International flights, and three to Domestic flights. One ramp may be used for either. Another closely-related flaw is that there are very few baggage claims in both the International and Domestic terminals. Sure, i haven't had a problem with my luggage at the airport YET, but this inconvenience MAY soon become apparent if traffic increases. Lahore is, after all, a city quickly developing to attract tourists. As Mr. O. Khan said, there are no discernable CIP lounges and there is a shortage of amenities (airside). No duty-free shops, no entertainment. A literal torture chamber for transit passengers! Apart from this blunt criticism of the airport, I must admit that it has changed air-travel at least a bit for Lahorites. We can now come home to a presentable, well-lit and airy airport rather than the dingy and tastelessly-built old airport. An overall improvement and a clear full-hearted effort (the CAA did the best they could given the resources at their disposal), the Allama Iqbal International Airport of Lahore, Pakistan is a destination to look forward to in itself, which incorporates the city's vast culture and Mughal heritage. Hats off to the architect and the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority).

Lahore Airport  by O Khan

10 December 2003

Using indigenous materials and architectural details, the airport is clean, airy and bright, with plenty of marble and local art. It has spotless restrooms, a huge waiting area, and easy access. Both arrival and departure are quick and painless. Negatives include limited amenities airside, such as shops and restaurants and no discernible CIP lounges.

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