Lahore Allama Iqbal Airport (LHE) Guide 2026
Allama Iqbal International Airport (IATA: LHE, ICAO: OPLA) is Pakistan's second-busiest airport and the gateway to Punjab province. Named after the national poet and philosopher Muhammad Iqbal, the airport serves Pakistan's cultural capital Lahore — home to Mughal architecture, legendary food and vibrant bazaars. Located 15 km from the city centre, LHE connects Lahore to the Middle East, Europe, East Asia and all major domestic destinations.
Airport Overview
| IATA Code | LHE |
| Location | 15 km from Lahore city centre |
| Terminals | 1 (International & Domestic) |
| Annual Passengers | ~7 million |
| Named After | Allama Muhammad Iqbal, national poet |
| Runways | 1 (3,360m) |
| Operator | Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority |
Getting To & From the Airport
| Transport | Destination | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | City centre / Mall Road | PKR 800-1,500 | 20-40 min |
| Careem / InDriver | City centre | PKR 500-1,000 | 20-40 min |
| Hotel Transfer | Various | Free-1,500 | Varies |
| Auto-rickshaw | Nearby areas | PKR 200-500 | Varies |
Traffic note: Lahore traffic can be extremely heavy, especially during rush hours (8-10 AM, 5-8 PM). Allow extra time. The airport road is generally less congested.
Popular Routes from Lahore
| Destination | Airlines | Flight Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai, UAE | Emirates, flyDubai, AirBlue, PIA | EK613, EK625, EK623, FZ360, PA410 |
| Doha, Qatar | Qatar Airways | QR629, QR621 |
| Istanbul, Turkey | Turkish Airlines, PIA | TK709, TK715, TK745, PK5715 |
| London Heathrow, UK | PIA | PK786 |
| Toronto, Canada | PIA | PK789 |
| Abu Dhabi, UAE | Etihad Airways | EY242 |
| Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabian, AirBlue | SV739, PA472 |
| Sharjah, UAE | Air Arabia | G9544 |
| Kuwait City | Kuwait Airways | KU205 |
| Islamabad (domestic) | AirBlue, Serene Air | PA203, ER505 |
| Karachi (domestic) | AirBlue, Serene Air | PA204, ER506 |