New Islamabad International Airport – Updated Guide

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Table of Contents

Introduction of the New Islamabad International Airport

After the partition of Pakistan and India, Chaklala Airbase provided transportation to the twin cities (Islamabad-Rawalpindi) and the nearby Pottohar area. The number of domestic and international travellers grew with time, so the small terminal of the airport (later named Benazir Bhutto International Airport) was unable to handle the flow of passengers.

The ex-Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shoukat Aziz, laid down the cornerstone of the New Islamabad International Airport on 7 April 2007. On 20 April 2008, it was inaugurated formally for regular national and international flights. The airport has two runways, each 3600 meters long.    

The New Islamabad International Airport has state-of-the-art facilities and welcomes national and international V.I.P.s, V-VIPs, foreign delegations, and business communities. It can handle 9 million passengers.

New Islamabad International Airport Map

New Islamabad International Airport is at Airport Avenue, Islamabad, Attock, Punjab, Pakistan. You can click to view the New Islamabad International Airport Map.

Contact Information for New Islamabad International Airport

If you want to contact the airport management regarding domestic departure, domestic arrival, international departure, and international arrival or with other managers and senior vigilance officers regarding flight inquires, click the link: Airport Management 

Entrance Security Checks

Suppose you are a traveller, national or international. In that case, you must approach Gate No. 1. As you enter the airport, security and vehicle checks will be made by Airport Security Force (A.S.F.) personnel deployed at each entry point.

Domestic travellers are requested to arrive 1 to 2 hours before the flight, while international travellers are asked to arrive 4 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Required Documents for Entrance

Several documents are required to enter the airport premises, including

  • Valid CNIC
  • Valid Airline Ticket
  • Valid Passport

Passenger Guidelines

The New Islamabad International Airport has issued several guidelines for passengers, and these guidelines are  

  • Don’t bring any banned item
  • Follow the baggage weight limit policy
  • Follow the instructions for the airline ticket
  • Don’t replace your valuable item in your check-in baggage during departure
  • Don’t take anything from an unknown person, like tea, coffee, drinks etc.
  • Don’t hand over your items to an unknown person
  • Pick up your luggage bag after screening from A.N.F., A.S.F., and Customs
  • Register your complaint immediately if you lose anything
  • Don’t forget to bring your Original CNIC
  • Take care of your luggage.
  • Don’t submit your embarkation (boarding) or disembarkation form at the international airport in Pakistan.
  • Liquor is strictly banned in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Arrival Process Overview

Required Travel Documents for International Arrival

  • Filled disembarkation form (Overseas Pakistani card holders are not required to fill it)
  • Passport
  • Valid Visa
  • Vaccination Certificate (Passengers come from infected countries)

Immigration Clearance

Immigration desks have been divided into several sections, including

  • All passports
  • Overseas Pakistani Passenger / Card holder
  • Foreigners
  • Old Citizens / Special Person
  • Diplomats / Foreigners
  • If staying more than four weeks, a polio vaccination certificate is required at the airport.

Baggage Claim information

Once you are cleared from immigration, you will move towards the baggage belt in the area of the international arrival lounge.

Procedure to Collect your Baggage

  • Check the LCD to monitor the baggage on your flight
  • Wait for your baggage collection area
  • Identity your bag
  • Collect and confirm it

Lost Baggage Protocol

If your luggage is missing, contact the airline immediately for help.

Custom Clearance Process

After collecting the luggage from the baggage belt, customs officers will scan your bag in the international arrival area. Two types of channels have been installed at the airport, such as

  • Red Channel (Banned Goods/Items)
  • Green Channel (Alcohol, Drug, and Weapon Free Zone)

If you have taxable items in your bag, you must go through the Red Channel; if you don’t, you can pass through the Green Channel. For more information regarding Customs Baggage Rules, visit the FBR website.

Red Channel

The banned items/goods are not allowed by the concerned authorities including;

  • Arms & Ammunition
  • Anti-Islamic, anti-Pakistan literature
  • Items of Intellectual Prophet Infringements
  • Alcoholic beverages, narcotics, and drugs

If anyone is found with these items, they will be subjected to detention, and all the items will be confiscated.

Departure Process Overview

Departure Procedures

All international travellers must show a valid passport and visa. Furthermore, the passengers must show their information on security, immigration, and customs from the airport website before departure.

Required Documents for Departure

Domestic Travel Requirements
  • Original CNIC
  • Valid Airline
  • Valid Ticket
International Travel Requirements
  • Valid Passport
  • Valid Visa
  • Valid Ticket
  • Photo ID
  • Health Certificate
  • O.C. (For Govt. Employees)

Departure Lounge

  • Once you are cleared from immigration and customs clearance, you will move towards the international departure lounge. Once all the formalities are done, you can’t go outside.
  • Check your boarding pass and go to the appropriate boarding area.

Boarding Procedures

The airline representative will announce boarding and proceed to the boarding gate for onward travel to the aircraft by bus or shuttle.

Foreigners Registration at Police Station  

There are several countries whose nationals will have to register themselves with the police, and these countries are

  • Sudan
  • Libya
  • Bangladesh
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Bhutan
  • Nigeria
  • Syria
  • Tajikistan
  • India
  • Tanzania
  • L.O.
  • Iraq
  • Serbia
  • Uganda
  • Somalia
  • Uzbekistan

For more information regarding registration with the police, visit the New Islamabad International Airport website. 

F.I.A. Contact Information

If you plan to travel and have any immigration queries, you can contact us at these numbers.

  • Additional Director General Immigration: +92 (51) 926 0 776
  • Additional Director General Crime: +92 (51) 926 0 026
  • Director Administration: +92 (51) 926 1 775
  • Project Director (PISCES): +92 (51) 926 0 944
  • Fax No: +92 (51) 926 2 376
  • Help Line: 111-345-789
  • E-mail Address: compaints@fia.gov.pk

Airport Taxes and Charges

For Domestic Travelers, Airport Taxes

  • Embarkation Fee
  • Economic Class: 500 PKR/-
  • Business Class: 500 PKR/-
  • Government Taxes
  • Federal Excise Duty: 20 P.K.R./-

For International Travelers, Airport Taxes

  • Embarkation Fee
  • Economic Class: 1500 PKR/-
  • Business Class: 3000 PKR/-
  • Infrastructure Development Charges: 10 US$
  • Security Charges: 10 US$ (In addition to embarkation fee)
  • Government Taxes
  • Economic and Economic Plus: 5,000 PKR/-
  • For Club, Business, & First Class: 10,000 PKR/- (In addition to airport taxes)

For more information, visit www.ccapakistan.com.pk.

New Islamabad International Airport Services and Facilities

 New Islamabad International Airport has offered domestic and international travellers several services and facilities.

  • Passenger Facilitation Service (PFS0
  • Bank Services like A.T.M.s & Currency Exchange
  • Hotels
  • Restaurants
  • Shopping Centers
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Medical Services
  • Airline Lounge
  • Golf Cart Car Service inside Lounges
  • Prayer Rooms
  • Free Mobile Charging Booth
  • Car Rental Service

Smoking Lounges

New Islamabad International Airport offers a smoking area with a designated place for domestic and international travellers.

Location of Smoking Lounges

  • Domestic Departure Level-3 (North East) Near B5/B6 Lounge
  • International Departure Level-3 (North West) No.1 & International Departure Level-3 (East Pier) No.1.

Final Words

The New Islamabad International Airport is the symbol of Pakistan’s ambition and progress. It depicts modern architecture with top-notch facilities. The doorway to the capital pledges enhanced comfort, connectivity, and efficiency for passengers. With its advanced technology, commitment to excellence, and sustainable design, the airport is a hub of national and international travelers. New Islamabad International Airport demonstrate a brighter future for Pakistan’s aviation industry and economic growth.  

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