ISLAMABAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

[razashah]

Photographs from Pakistan's Beautiful Capitals small but very busy airport!

[razashah]

Islamabad International Airport - Code - ISB

Airlines:
PIA -Pakistan International Airlines
Emirates
Etihad Airways
Kuwait Airways
Qatar Airways
Thai Air
Gulf Air
Air Blue
Shaheen Air
Saudi Arabian Airlines
Ariana Afghan Airlines
Turkish Airlines
China Southern Airlines

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[Umair-Chishty]

nice airport i want to go there when it's save

[dmarney]

Those plans look really ambitious, how many passengers are handled there each year?

[essendon bombers]

Any major European airlines fly into Islamabad?

[razashah]

British Airways recently suspended operations to ISB. besides that Turkish Airlines currently has code share service.

Most European Destinations are serviced either through Emirates / PIA.
Once the new Terminal is completed a number of new airlines including KLM , Lufthansa, Air France and Swiss Airlines are expected

[razashah]

BA Boeing 777 at ISB International Airport


Boarding a PIA Boeing 777


ISB also serves as the hub for Air Blue

[Manazir]

@ razashah bro,

BA used to fly before to ISB and also, DAC (for BAngladesh lol) but these days, the only country in South Asia they operate to is India. I hope after economic crisis, BA resumes DAC and ISB (altho abt ISB, security might be an issue) routes but BA might try KHI too.

post # 9, the only Euro carrier operating in Pakistan now is TK (IST-KHI route). Before, many airlines from Europe and other countries used to operate to KHI like LH, AF, LX, SU, KL etc but due to security issues, I think they suspended. I dont see any chance for any European carriers operating to ISB in the near-future (BA might be an exception).

[bains1971]

When will they start building the new terminal, what is the current layout?

[KB]

Originally Posted by Manazir

@ razashah bro,

BA used to fly before to ISB and also, DAC (for BAngladesh lol) but these days, the only country in South Asia they operate to is India. I hope after economic crisis, BA resumes DAC and ISB (altho abt ISB, security might be an issue) routes but BA might try KHI too.

post # 9, the only Euro carrier operating in Pakistan now is TK (IST-KHI route). Before, many airlines from Europe and other countries used to operate to KHI like LH, AF, LX, SU, KL etc but due to security issues, I think they suspended. I dont see any chance for any European carriers operating to ISB in the near-future (BA might be an exception).

I don't know about security concerns but European airlines ain't coming back until they can compete with ME airlines who offer around €200-300 cheaper flights on average. If you have ever flown on them e.g Air France, you will find an odd one or two pakistani and the rest of them europeans mostly officials who must fly the national carrier.

I think that's the major reason for their closure.

Originally Posted by bains1971

When will they start building the new terminal, what is the current layout?

There already exists a thread on the New Islamabad International Airport

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=465678

Ground clearing work and leveling has been complete a while ago and currently they are working on the infrastructure. The airport is a bit far away from the city (its a green field airport) so unfortunately we do not have members updating us with pictures. I remember reading somewhere the revised date for completion is 2011-12 so there is a bit of time before it gets completed.

[razashah]

thanks KB for introducing the New Isb Airport thread - our local airports hardly get any attention on this more International forum!

Also I beleive Lufthansa is flying to Lahore and Karachi - also Air France and KLM both offer flights via Dubai - you have to take EK to DXB and then KLM or Air France onwards

[Manazir]

Originally Posted by KB

I don't know about security concerns but European airlines ain't coming back until they can compete with ME airlines who offer around €200-300 cheaper flights on average. If you have ever flown on them e.g Air France, you will find an odd one or two pakistani and the rest of them europeans mostly officials who must fly the national carrier.

I think that's the major reason for their closure.

I think so. That may be another reason, same for Bangladesh. But there are other reasons like safety concerns, tourist flow, etc.

[razashah]

[Manazir]

Lufthansa used to operate to KHI and LHE, it was the 2nd last European carrier to suspend Pakistani flights. about AF anf KL, i think u mean code-share? cuz they dont operate to KHI/LHE either.

[Manazir]

nice updates bro.
I wishd we (Bangladesh & Pakistan) had some European carriers coming in to KHI and DAC. It looks kinda empty without BA, KL, LH flying to DAC and KHI lol. Only India is receiving these carriers a lot.

[razashah]

I think we'll see alot of International Carriers flocking to ISB as soon as the new Terminal opens - The current setup is jqampacked and cannot handle the load!

I know for fact Lufthansa and Swiss Airlines have both applied for licences to fly into ISB but they are waiting for the new airport to get completed. The dad's cargo agent gave him this inside scoop!

Air Arabia wasnt allowed flights to ISB because of load and the fact that it would undercut the competitors!

By 2011 im hoping KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, BA, British Midland and Virgin Atlantic will all be flying to our new airport! The capital has a huge market speacially of foreigners coming in for diplomatic reasons, confrences, tourists! BA was always full - you had too really book in advance to get a seat with them!

[Manazir]

Originally Posted by razashah

I think we'll see alot of International Carriers flocking to ISB as soon as the new Terminal opens - The current setup is jqampacked and cannot handle the load!

I know for fact Lufthansa and Swiss Airlines have both applied for licences to fly into ISB but they are waiting for the new airport to get completed. The dad's cargo agent gave him this inside scoop!

Air Arabia wasnt allowed flights to ISB because of load and the fact that it would undercut the competitors!

By 2011 im hoping KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, BA, British Midland and Virgin Atlantic will all be flying to our new airport! The capital has a huge market speacially of foreigners coming in for diplomatic reasons, confrences, tourists! BA was always full - you had too really book in advance to get a seat with them!

Theres a lot of stuff to discuss about this issue bro, but nevertheless, I like discussing it XD.

Few days ago, in our Bangladesh Aviation thread, one fellow forumer asked that we are not an unsafe country like Pakistan, so why dont we still see any Western European carriers at Dhaka?? so u see, we have discussions about it hehe.

But anyway, I am not denying the fact that no Euro carriers will opearte to Pakistan. But still, safety is a prime concern for them as Islamabad is faar unsafe than Karachi. BA stopped for economic crisis, NOT for any other silly reasons. They did well in ISB route as well as DAC route. The load factor at DAC was 70% on average!

But also, even if we build a new airport or even expand and modernize the existing one, I dont think we'll still get alot of response from those European carriers! If u want to attract those airliners, you have to cooperate with them, develop airport infrastructures, and see will it be profitable for them to operate to ISB/DAC/ KHI or not.

Because most of the Pakistanis living in Europe / N. America would definitely prefer to fly their own PIA, otherwise EK / EY/ QR for better service at a cheaper fare than LX/ AF/ LH etc. So, mainly, the pax on those airliners would be Europeans themselves. they may be diplomats/ tourists/ business people etc.