Terminals Guide —
Lahore Airport
A complete guide to all three terminals at Allama Iqbal International Airport: the Main Passenger Terminal, the Hajj Terminal, and the Cargo Terminal. Know exactly where to go before you arrive.
Three Terminals — One Airport
Allama Iqbal International Airport (IATA: LHE, ICAO: OPLA) has three distinct terminals, each serving a specific purpose. The vast majority of passengers — both international and domestic — will use the Main Passenger Terminal only.
Main Passenger Terminal
The primary and busiest terminal at LHE. A modern three-storey building that handles all scheduled international and domestic passenger flights. Named after Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Pakistan’s national poet-philosopher.
Hajj Terminal
A separate, standalone terminal building exclusively reserved for Hajj pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia. Operates during the annual Hajj pilgrimage season only and is managed in coordination with Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Cargo Terminal
A dedicated cargo handling facility separate from the passenger terminals. Manages all commercial import and export air freight at Lahore Airport. Not accessible to regular passengers.
Inside the Main Terminal — Floor by Floor
The main terminal at Allama Iqbal International Airport is a modern three-storey structure with an intuitive layout. Understanding which floor handles what function helps you navigate the building quickly upon arrival or before departure.
Ground Floor
Arrivals Hall
- Passport Control / Immigration for arriving international passengers
- Baggage claim conveyor belts with LED flight display screens
- Pakistan Customs inspection area
- Lost & Found office near baggage claim
- Public arrivals hall — meeting point for greeters and family
- Taxi stands, Careem/InDrive pickup zone, and car rental desks
- Currency exchange counters and ATMs (HBL, MCB, UBL)
- Porter services and baggage trolleys
Second Floor
Departures Hall
- Airline check-in counters — all carriers including PIA, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines
- Baggage drop and luggage wrapping services
- Immigration control and exit stamp points (international passengers)
- Primary security screening — X-ray and metal detector
- Gate area with flight information display boards
- Secondary security scan before gate boarding
- Prayer rooms for men and women (open 24 hours)
- Food courts, cafes, and restaurants
Upper Level
Airside — Post Immigration
- International duty-free shopping (accessible after immigration clearance)
- VIP and business class passenger lounges
- Additional dining outlets and cafes airside
- Baby care and family rooms
- Boarding gates and jet bridges
- Gate-side seating areas with charging points
- Wi-Fi available throughout (complimentary)
What You’ll Find Inside the Terminal
The main terminal is fully equipped with essential amenities. Below are the confirmed facilities available at Allama Iqbal International Airport.
Free Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi available throughout the terminal building for all passengers, airside and landside.
VIP & Business Lounges
Premium lounges offering comfortable seating, refreshments, and business amenities for eligible passengers.
Duty-Free Shops
International duty-free outlets for perfumes, electronics, confectionery, and souvenirs. Accessible after immigration.
Food Courts & Cafés
Local and international food options available both landside and airside. Halal food is standard across all outlets.
Prayer Rooms
Separate prayer areas for men and women, open 24 hours. Qibla direction is clearly marked. Wudhu facilities provided.
Currency Exchange & ATMs
Multiple exchange counters in arrivals and departures. ATMs from HBL, MCB, and UBL available inside the terminal.
Baby & Family Rooms
Dedicated child-friendly spaces and baby care rooms for families travelling with infants and young children.
Special Assistance
Wheelchair services and support for elderly passengers and those with disabilities. Notify your airline at least 48 hours in advance.
Baggage Services
Baggage wrapping, Lost & Found office, porter services, and luggage trolleys available in the arrivals and departures areas.
International Departure Process at LHE
Security at Lahore Airport is managed by the Airport Security Force (ASF) and is among the most thorough in South Asia. There are multiple security checkpoints before you reach your gate. Understanding the process helps you plan your time correctly.
Outer Perimeter Check
All vehicles approaching the terminal must pass through an ASF security barrier. Expect a vehicle search and ID check before reaching the drop-off zone.
Terminal Entrance Screening
Only ticketed passengers are permitted inside the departures hall. Bags are X-rayed and you pass through a metal detector at the terminal entrance.
Check-In & Baggage Drop
Proceed to your airline’s check-in counter on the 2nd floor. Present your passport and booking. Drop checked luggage and collect your boarding pass.
Immigration / Exit Stamp
International passengers must proceed to immigration control. Present your passport, visa (if required), and boarding pass for exit stamp. No immigration needed for domestic flights.
Secondary Security Scan
After immigration, a full secondary scan of hand luggage occurs before entering the gate area. Remove laptops and liquids. Body scan and metal detector.
Gate & Boarding
Proceed to your assigned gate displayed on the departure boards. Duty-free shopping, lounges, and dining available airside. Board as per your airline’s boarding call.
Important: Due to multiple security layers at LHE, it is strongly recommended to arrive at least 3 hours before international departures and 2 hours before domestic flights. During Hajj, Eid, and winter smog season, allow extra time.
International Arrival Process at LHE
When your flight lands at Allama Iqbal International Airport, follow the clearly marked signs from the aircraft to immigration. For international passengers, expect immigration procedures to take approximately 45–60 minutes during peak hours.
Disembark & Follow Signs
Follow airport signage from the aircraft to the immigration hall. The terminal is designed to guide arriving passengers clearly from gates to the ground floor.
Immigration / Passport Control
Join the relevant queue — Pakistani nationals and foreign nationals have separate counters. Present your passport and visa. Peak rush times can lengthen wait.
Baggage Claim
Proceed to the baggage claim belts. LED screens display flight numbers and assigned belt numbers. Trolleys are available. Report missing bags to Lost & Found immediately.
Customs Inspection
All arriving passengers pass through Pakistan Customs. Random screening applies. Declare dutiable goods. Green channel for nothing to declare; Red channel for declarable items.
Arrivals Hall Exit
Exit into the public arrivals hall where family and transport providers wait. Currency exchange counters, ATMs, taxi desks, and Careem/InDrive pickup zones are immediately available.
Domestic Arrivals: No immigration is required for domestic flights. Passengers collecting bags proceed directly to the baggage belt area and exit into the arrivals hall. The process is significantly faster than international arrivals.
Hajj Terminal — Lahore Airport
The Hajj Terminal at Allama Iqbal International Airport is a dedicated, standalone building exclusively for Hajj pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia. It operates seasonally during the annual Hajj pilgrimage period and is managed in coordination with Pakistan’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (MORA).
Who Uses the Hajj Terminal?
- Exclusively for Hajj pilgrims — not available for regular passengers or Umrah travellers
- Operated during the Hajj season — approximately 45 to 60 days per year aligned with the Islamic lunar calendar
- Ticketing and registration managed through authorized Hajj travel agents and the government Hajj scheme only
- Designed to process large groups of pilgrims efficiently with dedicated check-in lines and group handling
- Flights from this terminal operate exclusively to Jeddah (JED) and Madinah (MED)
- During off-season, the terminal is closed to public and may occasionally serve specialized charter operations
- Umrah pilgrims do not use the Hajj Terminal — Umrah flights depart from the main passenger terminal
What’s Available at the Hajj Terminal
Dedicated Prayer Areas
Large namaz halls for men and women, equipped with wudhu facilities and separate entrances.
Medical Support
On-site medical team and first aid facilities to assist elderly pilgrims and those with health conditions.
Group Check-In
Dedicated counters for group Hajj processing, coordinated with airlines and MORA officials.
Catering Services
Food and refreshment facilities available for pilgrims during waiting periods before departure.
Baggage Handling
Dedicated baggage processing for pilgrim groups, including Ihram and Zamzam water handling guidance.
MORA Desk
Ministry of Religious Affairs officials present at the terminal to guide and assist pilgrims with documentation.
Cargo Terminal — Lahore Airport
The Cargo Terminal at Allama Iqbal International Airport handles all commercial import and export air freight. It is a dedicated facility separate from the passenger terminals and is not accessible to regular travellers.
Source: Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority — Statistics July 2024 to June 2025
Cargo Services at LHE
- Import freight handling: Receiving and processing inbound commercial cargo from international airlines
- Export freight handling: Processing outbound goods for international shipment by air
- Pakistan Customs clearance: All cargo must be inspected and cleared by customs before release or departure
- Perishable goods: Cold chain and temperature-sensitive cargo handling facilities
- Dangerous goods: Handling of IATA-classified dangerous goods per international regulations
- Freight documentation: Air waybill processing, manifests, and customs documentation services
- Authorized access only: The cargo terminal is restricted to registered cargo agents, importers, exporters, and authorized personnel
- Hours: Open daily — hours aligned with cargo flight operations, not fixed public hours
Security at Lahore Airport — What to Expect
Security at Allama Iqbal International Airport is managed by the Airport Security Force (ASF) of Pakistan and is among the most thorough in South Asia. There are multiple security checkpoints at LHE. Being prepared helps you move through them faster.
Outer Perimeter / Vehicle Check
All vehicles entering the airport road must stop at an ASF barrier several hundred metres from the terminal. Vehicle searched and passenger IDs checked before entry is permitted.
Terminal Entrance (Departures Only)
Only passengers with valid tickets or boarding passes are allowed inside the departures hall. Bags X-rayed and metal detector screening at the main entrance. Non-passengers are not permitted inside.
Primary Security Screening
After check-in, all hand luggage goes through full X-ray scanning. Passengers pass through metal detectors or body scanners. Remove laptops, belts, and liquids before the scan.
Secondary Security (Before Gates)
A second complete security scan of all carry-on bags takes place after immigration and before entering the gate area. This is a standard procedure at LHE for all international flights.
Documents Always Required
Keep your valid passport (or CNIC for domestic), boarding pass, and visa ready at every checkpoint. Immigration officers verify all documentation thoroughly. Expired documents will not be accepted.
Liquids & Carry-On Rules
Standard international liquid rules apply: containers must be 100ml or less and placed in a transparent resealable bag. Liquids purchased after security (airside) may be carried onboard. Check your airline’s carry-on size limits.
Terminal Hours & Arrival Times
Confirmed opening hours and recommended passenger arrival times at Allama Iqbal International Airport.
Main Terminal
24 / 7Open around the clock for check-in, arrivals, and departures. Never closes.
Arrive for International Flights
3 HoursMinimum 3 hours before departure recommended due to multi-layer security at LHE.
Arrive for Domestic Flights
2 Hours2 hours before departure. Domestic check-in typically closes 1 hour before the flight.
Hajj Terminal
SeasonalOpens only during the annual Hajj season (~45–60 days). Closed to public otherwise.
Cargo Terminal
DailyOperational daily. Hours vary based on cargo flight schedule. Authorized personnel only.
Peak Period Extra Time
+1 HourDuring Hajj, Eid, and Nov–Feb smog season, add at least 1 extra hour to all arrival times.
Frequently Asked Questions — Lahore Airport Terminals
How many terminals does Lahore Airport have?
Allama Iqbal International Airport has three terminals: the Main Passenger Terminal (open 24/7 for all scheduled flights), the Hajj Terminal (seasonal, pilgrims only), and the Cargo Terminal (daily operations, freight only).
Can non-passengers enter the terminal to see someone off?
No. Only ticketed passengers with a valid boarding pass are permitted inside the departures hall. This is an ASF security policy strictly enforced at all entry points. Well-wishers must wait in the public area outside.
Which terminal do Umrah travellers use?
Umrah pilgrims use the Main Passenger Terminal — the same terminal as all other international passengers. The Hajj Terminal is exclusively for Hajj pilgrims and is not used for Umrah flights under any circumstances.
Is there free Wi-Fi at Lahore Airport terminal?
Yes. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the main passenger terminal building, covering both the landside (pre-immigration) and airside (post-immigration) areas at LHE.
How long does immigration take at Lahore Airport?
For international arriving passengers, immigration typically takes 45–60 minutes during normal periods. During peak Eid, Hajj, and smog-disruption seasons, waits can be longer. Domestic passengers do not go through immigration.
Is there a separate terminal for domestic flights?
No. Domestic and international flights are both handled within the same Main Passenger Terminal at Allama Iqbal International Airport. There is no separate domestic terminal at LHE.
How many security checks are there before boarding?
There are effectively four checkpoints at LHE for departing passengers: outer vehicle perimeter check, terminal entrance screening, primary security after check-in, and a secondary scan after immigration before the gate area.
What is the capacity of Lahore Airport’s main terminal?
The current main terminal handles approximately 6 million passengers per year (confirmed by PCAA statistics: 6,048,541 passengers in the July 2024 – June 2025 fiscal year). The planned expansion will increase this to 20–25 million annually.
Plan Your Journey at LHE
Explore flights, parking, transport, and services at Allama Iqbal International Airport.