Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan is the entry point of not only diplomats and foreign representatives but also a great number of tourists. However, the capital city did not have a dedicated airport until recent years. A portion of the Chaklala airbase was used to provide air travel facilities to foreigners and residents of not only Islamabad but also Rawalpindi and the surrounding Potohar region.
Several structural and design changes were made to Chaklala in order to accommodate the growing number of passengers. As the number of domestic and international travellers rose, the small terminal became insufficient to handle the load.
In 2007, the former prime minister of Pakistan, Mr Shaukat Aziz, laid the foundation stone of Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) and, in 2018, the airport was opened for domestic and international flights. The International Air Transport Association granted the code (ICAO: OPIS) to the new airport.
The new Islamabad International Airport is equipped with cutting-edge facilities and, as a result, available resources and infrastructure are being utilised to assist air travellers with the least amount of inconvenience.
Graana.com, Pakistan’s first online real estate marketplace, takes an in-depth look at the facilities available at this airport.
Aéroports de Paris Ingénierie, or ADPI for short, designed the infrastructure of Islamabad International Airport. The terminal building, on the other hand, was designed by a Singaporean firm, CPG Corporation.
Bringing on these engineering firms for the project yielded major dividends, with the design being environmentally friendly and sustainable. The terminal building, in particular, makes use of daylight as its principal source of light, with sun shading technology that helps reduce cooling expenses. A water-saving system is also installed on the roof.
After the project was completed, the project management was passed over to the Louis Berger Group, which is based in the United States.
Islamabad International Airport has the latest facilities for its passengers, as listed below:
Facilities for senior and disabled citizens are available at the airport and are identified with the standard International Sinology. Passengers with such requirements are required to communicate their disability to the airlines in advance. They can contact the appropriate airlines for wheelchair service at their designated counters in the Arrival and Departure Halls/Concourse Halls.
There is also a fast track for arriving/departing formalities, a ramp for those using wheelchairs, and dedicated parking for disabled people.
Approximately 2200 baggage trolleys are available for the passengers at the Islamabad International Airport. These trolleys are available at designated places on a complimentary basis along the drop lane and in front of briefing areas.
Passenger Facilitation Service (PFS) provides round-the-clock service known as “Passenger Porter Services”. You can hire a porter at the Porter Service Desk to assist you with your luggage till it is checked in. This is an option available to all travellers, but it is especially suggested for those carrying large or excess baggage.
Porters can also pick your bags from baggage claim and bring them to the building’s exit for arriving passengers. Passengers are advised to hire porters wearing the official uniform and pay the porters only once. Following are the rates for domestic and international travellers:
Domestic travellers are required to pay Rs. 200 to the porter.
International travellers are required to pay Rs. 400 to the porter.
Fully functioning branches of the following banks are available in the banking square near the car parking:
There are three ATMs in the Passenger terminal building, two of which are located on Level 2 of the visitor’s gallery while the third one is located on Level 3 of International Departures.
Islamabad International Airport provides multiple exchange bureaus in all terminals, as you would expect from a big airport linking all corners of the globe. Furthermore, you can reserve today’s rate and collect it as soon as you arrive at the airport.
The Airport Security Force (ASF) is part of the Ministry of Defence and is in charge of securing airports, infrastructure, and flights (on-ground or in-air). ASF protects the civil aviation industry in Pakistan by implementing counter-terrorism measures, combating crime, and ensuring law and order inside airport boundaries.
The airport’s entry points are all subject to a body and vehicle search. As a result, all visitors are asked to cooperate with the ASF officers stationed at the entry points. People entering the airport must also have their NIC, a valid plane ticket, or their passport with them.
For more information on related content, visit Graana.com.
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