Islamabad International Airport Operations to Be Handed Over to UAE by Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions (CCoIGCT) has decided to finalise a framework agreement with the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the transfer of operations of Islamabad International Airport under a government-to-government (G2G) model.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the CCoIGCT on Thursday, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar. The session reviewed arrangements for handing over airport operations to the UAE government.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Petroleum, Advisor on Privatisation, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Bajwa, federal secretaries, and senior officials from relevant ministries. A negotiation committee, headed by the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Privatisation, has been formed to move forward with the process. The committee will include representatives from the Ministries of Defence, Finance, Law & Justice, and Privatisation.

Meanwhile, passengers and visitors have voiced frustration over the recent increase in parking fees at Islamabad International Airport. Reports confirmed that the fee for the first three hours has been raised from Rs90 to Rs120, while the hourly charge beyond three hours has been increased from Rs50 to Rs70.

The revised rates have sparked frequent disputes between commuters and parking staff, with travelers complaining about the additional financial burden, especially on families picking up or dropping off passengers.

Islamabad International Airport

Formally inaugurated on April 20, 2018, the airport is spread over 19 square kilometres and is equipped with 15 passenger boarding bridges, including facilities to handle two Airbus A380 superjumbos, along with 15 remote bays and three cargo bays. Separate lounges for each bay ensure smooth passenger handling.

The airport features two runways, each 3,600 meters long, and has the capacity to accommodate nine million passengers annually. It regularly hosts VVIPs, VIPs, foreign delegations, and business communities due to its strategic importance as the capital’s main airport.

Islamabad International Airport also has seven check-in zones with a total of 112 counters, a five-level baggage security system, a food court, movie theatre, children’s play area, and parking space for 2,200 vehicles.

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