{"id":53113,"date":"2019-04-08T09:48:48","date_gmt":"2019-04-08T09:48:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zameen.com\/blog\/?p=53113"},"modified":"2020-07-07T11:00:55","modified_gmt":"2020-07-07T11:00:55","slug":"islamabad-international-airport-features-facilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zameen.com\/blog\/islamabad-international-airport-features-facilities.html","title":{"rendered":"Flying from Islamabad International Airport? Here\u2019s a Guide on What\u2019s Available There!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan and one of the major destinations for tourists travelling to the country. With the high number of diplomats, foreign representatives, and local population travelling to the city, there was a need to either upgrade the city\u2019s existing Benazir Bhutto International Airport or build a new one entirely. As such, a plan was developed to construct the new Islamabad International Airport (IIA), near the Kashmir Highway and the Motorway Interchange, some 20 kilometres outside the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The airport began its operations on the 20th<\/sup> of April in 2018. It is the largest airport in Pakistan to date, with room for expansion. As such, if you are flying anywhere around the world or even within the country from this airport, you should know exactly what you can expect from IIA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have listed the main facilities featured at Islamabad International Airport, but first, let\u2019s talk about the history of the now-defunct Benazir Bhutto International Airport and a little bit about the design and features of the new IIA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of Benazir Bhutto International Airport<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After gaining independence in 1947, a portion of Chaklala Airbase was used for commercial air travel to and from the cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and other surrounding areas. With time, the airbase was renovated, and it evolved to accommodate the growing numbers of domestic and international travellers. It was later renamed to Benazir Bhutto International Airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the space reserved for the airport proved to be insufficient for further expansions. Thus, the founding stone of IIA was laid in 2007. However, the project was completed in a little over 10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Features of Islamabad International Airport<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Signs
IIA Offers a Range of Facilities to Travellers [Credits: Facebook\/New Islamabad International Airport Pakistan]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Being the largest airport in the country, IIA has the capacity to serve around 15 million travellers a year. There is also room for further expansions that will allow this number to increase to 25 million. The terminal has 15 gates and 42 immigration counters. It also contains two runways, both of which are 3,600 metres long. A third runway might also be built by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A distinguishing feature of the airport is that it is the only one in the country that can handle the Airbus A380, which is the largest aircraft in the world to date. Along with several duty-free shops, the airport is also home to a four-star hotel, a food court, as well as car parking facilities for a total of 2,200 vehicles, and a separate parking space for the airport staff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Design Specifics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Interior
The Design Maximises the Use of Daylight [Credits: Facebook\/New Islamabad International Airport Pakistan]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The infrastructure of Islamabad International Airport was designed by a French company, A\u00e9roports de Paris Ing\u00e9nierie or ADPI for short. However, the terminal building itself was designed by a Singaporean firm, CPG Corporation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having these engineering firms on board for the project has produced significant results, with the design being environment-friendly and sustainable. The terminal building, in particular, uses daylight as its primary source of light with sun shading technology that helps cut down on the cooling costs. The roof also has a water conservation system in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the completion of the project, the project\u2019s management was handed over to the US-based, Louis Berger Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Expect at Islamabad International Airport<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know how and why the new airport was built, here\u2019s everything you need to know before heading to IIA:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Security Check at the Entrance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Signboard
One of the Many Signboards Placed on the Airport Premises [Credits: Facebook\/New Islamabad International Airport Pakistan]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All entry points of the airport are subjected to a body and under the vehicle search. All visitors are, therefore, requested to cooperate with the Airport Security Force (ASF)<\/a> personnel present at the entry points. People entering into the airport are also required to have either their NIC, a valid airline ticket or their passport with them to enter the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to Arrive for Your Flight?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Domestic Passengers travelling from IIA are advised to arrive at least 1 to 2 hours before their flight. Meanwhile, international passengers should try to arrive at least 4 hours prior to the scheduled time of their flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Car Parking Facilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Parking
One of the Parking Areas at Islamabad International Airport [Credits: Facebook\/New Islamabad International Airport Pakistan]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

IIA offers both short and long term car parking facilities\nand the parking bays for both are marked accordingly. However, parking the car\nwill be at the owner\u2019s risk as the airport authorities will not be responsible\nfor the loss of belongings or theft. Only cars marked with a CAA sticker can be\nparked in the designated staff parking area. Around 2,200 cars can be parked in\nthe general car park at IIA with the following parking fee:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Motorcycles: <\/strong>Rs.\n15 per entry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private\/Commercial\n4-Wheelers (Cars, Jeeps, Wagons): <\/strong>Rs. 90 per entry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public\nTransport\/Hotel Shuttles:<\/strong> Rs. 400 per day or Rs. 4,500 per month (multiple\nentry pass)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monthly Pass for\nAirport Personnel:<\/strong> Rs. 600 per month (multiple entry pass)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Passenger Facilitation Services (PFS)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Also called Passenger Porter Services (PPS), the services are available 24\/7 on the airport. Hiring a porter to help you with your luggage is a choice for all passengers but is specifically recommended for people carrying heavy or extra baggage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Porters can take your luggage from the entrance of the terminal building to the airline\u2019s check-in desk for departing passengers. They can be hired from the Porter Service Desk for this purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For arriving passengers, porters can collect your luggage from baggage claim and transport it to the exit of the building. Porters can be found within the Arrivals Lounge near the Baggage Claim area. Departing passengers can find porters in the concourse area before they show their passport and enter the terminal gates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Arrivals
The Arrivals Lounge and Baggage Claim [Credits: Facebook\/New Islamabad International Airport Pakistan]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Passengers are requested only to hire porters wearing the official uniform and to pay them only once. Charges for porters for domestic and international travellers differ slightly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Porters for Domestic Passengers:<\/strong> Rs. 200<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Porters for International Passengers:<\/strong> Rs. 400<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assistance to People Having Special Needs and the Elderly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While the Airport Medical Centre next to the CAA Mosque can cater to emergencies of any kind, if you or your travel companions are in need of special or medical assistance, you should inform your airline of the requirements beforehand. The services can then be availed from the airline\u2019s counter in the arrival and departure halls. This includes the provision of a wheelchair for the elderly and other concerned individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ATMs and Currency Exchange Services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A number of banks have their ATMs located within the Islamabad International Airport. If you want to know whether your bank is among them, you can check the bank\u2019s website or call up their helpline. The airport is also home to several money exchange service counters to facilitate foreign travellers with the conversion of currency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Facilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n