Operational
Airport Profile · PK

Allama Iqbal International Airport

LHE OPLA
Lahore, PK Asia/Karachi Multi-airline hub
5.4M
Annual passengers
33+
Destinations
30
Airlines
2
Runways
Where LHE ranks
Among 534 international airports — and 157 in Asia
View full ranking →
Passengers
# 329 worldwide
# 123 Asia
Direct routes
# 387 worldwide
# 121 Asia
Airlines
# 252 worldwide
# 89 Asia
Runways
# 198 worldwide
# 66 Asia
Terminals
# 170 worldwide
# 70 Asia
Area
# 408 worldwide
# 125 Asia
Elevation
# 136 worldwide
# 43 Asia
Allama Iqbal International — named for the poet-philosopher Muhammad Iqbal, whose 1930 Allahabad address articulated the case for a separate Muslim homeland in South Asia — is the primary airport of Lahore, Pakistan's cultural capital and the country's second-largest city with a metropolitan population exceeding 13M. Lahore anchors Pakistan's Punjab province, the country's agricultural and manufacturing heartland, and the airport is the main aerial gateway for a catchment that extends across central and eastern Punjab to the Indian border. Two parallel runways — 3,360 m (11,024 ft) and 2,743 m (9,000 ft) — and a three-concourse terminal support approximately 72 routes to 32 destinations through 30 airlines, making LHE Pakistan's third-busiest airport after Karachi and Islamabad. The network is overwhelmingly focused on Gulf labor migration: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman are served at high frequency by Pakistan International, Saudia, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, FlyDubai, Air Arabia, Kuwait Airways, and SalamAir. Additional scheduled services cover the UK (British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to London), mainland Europe (Turkish Airlines via Istanbul), China (Air China, Urumqi via China Southern), and the Southeast Asian Muslim-diaspora circuit including Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. The current terminal complex opened in 2003 on the east side of the airport, replacing a 1960s facility. Lahore's aviation history predates most South Asian airports: the Walton aerodrome was a key Royal Air Force station during World War II, and civilian scheduled service began in the 1940s. The airport also hosts Pakistan Air Force facilities and is the operational base for PIA's Hajj charter fleet during pilgrimage season. Passenger traffic reached approximately 6M in 2023, with significant growth forecast from Punjab's demographic expansion.

Global route network

Every direct destination, colour-coded by distance

Most popular route
LHE → KHI
529 observed departures
Longest route
LHE → YYZ
11,257 km
Countries reached
20
Via direct passenger flights

Where can I fly from here?

Top direct destinations, sorted by daily frequency

Track new routes from LHE

Get notified when airlines add new destinations, resume seasonal services, or launch direct flights from Allama Iqbal International Airport. Flight tracking, alerts, and full route history live on AirportRoutes.com.

Airport data

Authoritative facts sourced from the airport authority

Elevation
712 ft (217 m)
Above sea level
Runways
2 · 11,024 ft max
2 runways, CON
Passengers
5.4M/yr
Reported 2024
Airlines
30 carriers
PK · 9P · PA
Hub status
Mega-hub
Multi-airline hub
Area
Data Coming Soon
Total airport area

Beyond the major hubs

LHE also serves 5 regional airports across 3 countries — secondary cities, islands, and niche destinations not ranked on BigAirports.

5
Regional airports
3
Countries served
4
Airlines operating
73
Observed flights
AirportRoutes.com

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Getting to the airport

Ground transport options from Lahore

Public transportation

The Lahore Metro Bus System, Pakistan's first BRT corridor, is reachable from the airport via dedicated feeder bus Route B-28 to Gajju Matta, where it joins the main 27 km Metro line running north through central Lahore. The Metro is the most economical option, with fares of 40 PKR regardless of distance, but involves transfers and is less suited to heavy luggage.

Taxis & rideshare

Both airport taxis and the widely used ride-hailing apps Uber and Careem serve the airport 24/7. Ride-hailing typically offers the best price transparency; a ride to the old city or Gulberg runs 700–1,500 PKR. For curbside taxis, agree on a fare before departure. Careem offers a premium Careem Go option with larger vehicles for additional luggage.

Rental cars

Hertz, Avis, and local operators including Sixt and Lahore-based firms maintain counters in Arrivals. Chauffeur-driven rentals are the norm for foreign visitors given traffic density and local driving conventions; daily rates with driver and fuel start around 6,500 PKR. Self-drive requires an International Driving Permit alongside a valid national license.

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