Major Pakistani Airport is Getting a New Terminal

Work on the new terminal at Allama Iqbal International Airport has entered its final phase, with authorities expecting to open the upgraded facility for passengers in Lahore later this year.

Once completed, the new terminal will double the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity from 5 million to 10 million.

Project Director Tauqeer Iqbal said the Rs26 billion project is scheduled to be completed this year. He added that the terminal building and most of its core infrastructure have already been nearly finished.

The new facility will significantly expand passenger handling operations, with 144 additional arrival and departure counters being added. The commercial area is also being enlarged to accommodate both local and international brands.

To improve baggage handling, the number of conveyor belts is being increased to five so that passengers can receive their luggage more quickly. Aircraft parking capacity is also being expanded, allowing an additional four to five planes to be parked at the airport.

Authorities have also increased the number of airline check-in and boarding pass counters, while self-service boarding card machines have been installed to help passengers complete the process within minutes.

Officials say the upgraded terminal is being designed to handle heavy flight activity more efficiently, even during fog or rain, without causing long queues for passengers.

The Pakistan Airports Authority says the new terminal will offer modern facilities in line with international standards and improve the overall travel experience for passengers paying increasingly high airfares.