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Islamabad International Airport, formerly known as Benazir Bhutto International Airport, is the primary airport serving Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. The airport is located 25 kilometres from the city centre in the city of Rawalpindi. It is the largest cargo airport in Pakistan and is capable of serving 9 million passengers annually. The new airport replaced the over-capacity Islamabad International Airport at Chaklala, providing better access to the northern areas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Islamabad International Airport (formerly Benazir Bhutto International Airport) |
| Location | 25 km (16 mi) south-west of Islamabad; near Fateh Jang Tehsil of Attock District |
| Year Opened | 2018 |
| Area | 3,200 acres (1,295 ha) or 3,600 acres (13 km2) |
| Capacity | 9 million passengers per year; expected to expand to 25 million |
| Cargo Capacity | 80,000 metric tons per year |
| Runways | 2, with plans for a third |
| Management | Public-private partnership (PPP) |
| Facilities | Duty-free shops, food courts, hotel, convention centre, air malls, business centre, leisure and cinema facilities |
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What You'll Learn
- Islamabad International Airport replaced Benazir Bhutto International Airport
- Benazir Bhutto International Airport is named after the assassinated ex-Prime Minister
- The new airport is the first greenfield airport in Pakistan
- It is located 25km from Islamabad and Rawalpindi
- The airport is managed under a public-private partnership model
Islamabad International Airport replaced Benazir Bhutto International Airport
Islamabad International Airport (IIA) is an international airport serving Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, and Rawalpindi. It is located 25 km (16 mi) southwest of the city and is directly connected to the Lahore and Peshawar motorways. The airport is also connected to the capital city of Islamabad via the Srinagar Highway.
The airport commenced full operations on 6 May 2018, replacing the defunct Benazir Bhutto International Airport, which now serves only as the PAF Base Nur Khan. Benazir Bhutto International Airport was a civil and military airport, handling VIPs and scheduled public operations for many airlines. It was located approximately 25 kilometres from Islamabad's city centre and was situated in the city of Rawalpindi. The airport had two terminals: the main terminal and the Hajj terminal. The main terminal handled both domestic and international flights, while the Hajj terminal was used exclusively for Hajj flights during the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
The plan to construct a new airport in Islamabad was announced in January 2005 by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) due to increasing air traffic and passenger loads at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport. Construction of the new airport began on 7 April 2007 and it was formally inaugurated on 20 April 2018 for regular international and domestic flights. The airport was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on 1 May 2018, followed by the commencement of full commercial flight operations on 3 May 2018.
Islamabad International Airport is built on more than 3,200 acres (1,295 ha) of land and consists of a passenger terminal building, two runways, four taxiways, and apron and parking bays for wide-body aircraft. The airport also features a cargo terminal, air traffic control complex, fuel farm, and a fire, crash, and rescue facility. The terminal building is 180,000 m2 (1,900,000 sq ft) and is capable of handling 9 million passengers and 80,000 metric tons of cargo per year. The numbers are expected to reach 25 million passengers by 2024 with future expansions.
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Benazir Bhutto International Airport is named after the assassinated ex-Prime Minister
Islamabad's airport is called Islamabad International Airport. It replaced the previous airport, Benazir Bhutto International Airport, which was named after the assassinated ex-Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto.
Benazir Bhutto International Airport was a civil and military airport, serving as a hub for Pakistan International Airlines, Shaheen Air International, and Airblue. It was located 25 kilometres from the city centre of Islamabad and was situated in the city of Rawalpindi. The airport had two terminals: the main terminal and the Hajj terminal. The main terminal handled both domestic and international flights, while the Hajj terminal was reserved for Hajj flights during the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Benazir Bhutto International Airport featured various facilities for travellers, including duty-free shops, restaurants, lounges, and a prayer area.
The decision to name the previous Islamabad airport after Benazir Bhutto was made in June 2008 by the then-Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani. Benazir Bhutto was the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan and served two terms, from 1988 to 1990 and again from 1993 to 1996. She was a prominent figure in Pakistani politics, known for her progressive reforms and efforts to improve women's rights in the country.
The new Islamabad International Airport was constructed to replace the over-capacity Benazir Bhutto International Airport. The new airport features a modern terminal building, two runways, and improved infrastructure. It is located on a 3,600-acre site in Pind Ranjha, Attock District, just 20 kilometres from the centre of Islamabad. The airport was inaugurated in 2018 and is capable of handling 9 million passengers annually, with plans to expand its capacity to 25 million in the future.
The construction of the new Islamabad International Airport was a significant project for Pakistan, involving both local and international companies. The terminal building's design is architecturally notable for the country and incorporates traditional Islamic geometric patterns. The airport is well-equipped to handle a large volume of passengers and is expected to boost government revenue and enhance facilities for international travellers.
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The new airport is the first greenfield airport in Pakistan
Islamabad International Airport (ISB) is the primary airport serving Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, and Rawalpindi. It is located 25 kilometres (16 miles) from the city centre and is directly connected to the Lahore and Peshawar motorways. The airport commenced full operations on 6 May 2018, replacing the over-capacity Benazir Bhutto International Airport, which was the second-largest airport in Pakistan in terms of air traffic.
Benazir Bhutto International Airport was located in the area of Chaklala in Rawalpindi, which neighbours Islamabad. The airport had two terminals: the main terminal, which handled both domestic and international flights, and the Hajj terminal, which was used exclusively for Hajj flights during the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The airport was a major base for Pakistan International Airlines and Shaheen Air International.
The new Islamabad International Airport is the first greenfield airport constructed in Pakistan. It is named after assassinated ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The airport is situated on a 3,600-acre (13 km²) plot of land acquired by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) in the 1980s at Pind Ranjah near Fateh Jang. An additional 400 acres were acquired to build the two runways. The airport consists of a passenger terminal building, four taxiways, and apron and parking bays for wide-body aircraft. It also has a cargo terminal, an air traffic control complex, a fuel farm, and a fire, crash, and rescue facility.
The construction of the new airport began on 7 April 2007 and was designed by French company Aéroports de Paris Ingenierie (ADPi) and CPG Corporation of Singapore. The PCAA financed the entire $400 million (PKR37 billion) project. The new airport provides better access to the northern areas, including the north-west frontier province, federally administered tribal areas, Azzad Jammu, Potohar, and Kashmir.
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It is located 25km from Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Islamabad International Airport, also known as Benazir Bhutto International Airport, is located 25 kilometres (16 miles) from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The airport is situated in the city of Rawalpindi and serves as the primary gateway to Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. The airport is connected to Islamabad via the Srinagar Highway and to Rawalpindi via the GT Road.
The site for the construction of the new airport was selected to be just a few kilometres from the Islamabad interchange on the M-1/M-2 motorways. The airport is built on more than 3,200 acres (1,295 hectares) of land and includes a passenger terminal building, two runways, four taxiways, and apron and parking bays for wide-body aircraft. The terminal building covers an area of 180,000 square metres (1,900,000 square feet) and features 15 gates with ten remote gates, duty-free shops, a food court, and 42 immigration counters.
Islamabad International Airport is the first greenfield airport constructed in Pakistan and is named after the assassinated ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The airport replaced the over-capacity Islamabad International Airport at Chaklala, which could not handle the growing number of passengers. The new airport is designed to handle nine million passengers annually, with future expansions aiming to increase this capacity to 25 million.
The airport is a major hub for aviation activities in Pakistan and serves as a base for airlines such as Pakistan International Airlines, SereneAir, Shaheen Air International, and Airblue. It is well-connected to the highway infrastructure and can be easily accessed from both Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The airport also features a cargo complex, air traffic control complex, fuel farm, and a fire, crash, and rescue facility, ensuring a safe and efficient aviation experience.
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The airport is managed under a public-private partnership model
Islamabad International Airport (ISB) is the primary airport serving Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, and Rawalpindi. It is located 25 km (16 mi) southwest of the city and is directly connected to the Lahore and Peshawar motorways. The airport commenced full operations on May 6, 2018, replacing the defunct Benazir Bhutto International Airport, which was previously the second-largest airport in Pakistan in terms of air traffic. Benazir Bhutto International Airport is now used by the Pakistan Air Force and for general aviation by private companies.
Islamabad International Airport is managed by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), which is also the controlling body for the airport's development project. The PCAA financed the entire project, which is built on more than 3,200 acres (1,295 ha) of land acquired by the authority in the 1980s. The airport consists of a passenger terminal building, two runways, four taxiways, and apron and parking bays for wide-body aircraft. There is also a cargo terminal, an air traffic control complex, a fuel farm, and a fire, crash, and rescue facility.
The new airport was designed by French company Aéroports de Paris Ingenierie (ADPi) and CPG Corporation of Singapore. It is the first greenfield airport constructed in Pakistan and is named after assassinated ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The design of the new terminal building is architecturally significant for the country. The airport is well-connected to the surrounding area, with the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus connecting it to the metropolitan area.
The main terminal at Islamabad International Airport handles both domestic and international flights, offering various facilities for travellers, including duty-free shops, restaurants, lounges, and a prayer area. Car rental services are also available at the airport. The airport is a hub for Pakistan International Airlines and SereneAir, serving as the primary gateway to the capital city of Pakistan.
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Frequently asked questions
The name of the airport in Islamabad is Islamabad International Airport, formerly known as Benazir Bhutto International Airport.
The Benazir Bhutto International Airport was replaced by the Islamabad International Airport in May 2018.
The new airport was built because the Benazir Bhutto International Airport was over capacity and the number of passengers was growing by 14% annually.
The new Islamabad International Airport is the first greenfield airport in Pakistan. It is also the largest cargo airport in the country and can handle 9 million passengers annually.
The new airport has 15 gates with 10 remote gates, duty-free shops, a food court, and 42 immigration counters. It also has a cargo terminal, air traffic control complex, and a fuel farm.
