Lahore’s Allama Iqbal Airport to get new terminal

The Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore is set to undergo a major expansion, with a new terminal aimed at improving passenger experience and reducing congestion.

The project is expected to be completed by September 2026, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Express News reported

The new terminal will significantly enhance airport facilities, including a sixfold increase in immigration counters and a threefold expansion of baggage handling capacity.

Key upgrades at the new terminal

According to Dr. Tauqeer Iqbal, the project lead at CAA, the expansion will introduce:

• Departure immigration counters: Increased from 10 to 64
• Arrival immigration counters: Increased from 18 to 80
• Security checks: Doubled from 4 to 8
• Check-in counters: Increased from 25 to 67
• Customs inspection points: Increased from 12 to 24
• Passenger boarding bridges: Expanded from 4 to 6
• Baggage conveyor belts: Increased from 2 to 6

Once completed, the terminal will have the capacity to handle over 12 million passengers annually, significantly easing airport congestion and reducing long wait times.

Currently, 5 to 5.5 million passengers travel through Allama Iqbal Airport each year, with 48 to 55 flights arriving and departing daily. With international travel restrictions lifted, the number of flights to Europe and the UK is expected to rise, leading to an overall increase in passenger traffic.

The expansion is being designed to accommodate travel demand for the next 15 to 20 years, ensuring improved facilities for both domestic and international passengers, including those travelling for Hajj and Umrah.

The existing airport terminal will be designated for international flights, while the new terminal will cater primarily to domestic flights, with a few counters allocated for international departures and arrivals.

Passengers can expect state-of-the-art facilities, similar to those found at modern international airports, including dedicated parking solutions, better access to departure areas, and improved boarding bridges.

The project is progressing round-the-clock, with a focus on easing travel experiences for passengers by addressing long wait times, baggage handling issues, and parking constraints.