Lahore Allama Iqbal Int'l Airport - Spotting Guide

Lahore Allama Iqbal Int’l Airport – Spotting Guide

January 29, 2021 - last modified on December 7, 2023

Lahore Airport is named as Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE/OPLA) after the name of a national poet. The airport mainly consists of 3 terminals out of which only 1 terminal is being used by the commercial aircraft. Old terminal is used by Pakistan Air Force, Army Aviation and Air Eagle Aviation Academy whereas the 3rd terminal (Hajj terminal) is used by the business and VVIP jets. More than half of the movements occur at midnight due to the presence of birds during day. Its a hub of most of the cargo opertions in Pakistan for example Qatar and DHL are regular there. In some cases Emirates and Etihad cargo visit Lahore but most of the cargo is transported through the passengers flights. Sometimes training aircraft from Walton Aerodrome (OPLH) practice Touch and Go at the International airport. VVIP aviation of the Provincial Government of Punjab is also based at OPLA.

Written by Hamza MUGHAL (Plane Spotters Pakistan, PSPK member). Last update December 2020

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
18R/36L	2,743m (8,999ft) – Asphalt
36R/18L	3,360m (11,024ft) – Concrete
Terminal	One terminal handling all flights
Spotting Information
Ladder	Strictly not allowed.
Car/Public Transport	Public transport is not available around the airport. Car is much recommended.
Restrooms	Only in mosques and malls.
Drinks/Food	Easily available mainly street food.
Hotels	Not available around the airport except for 2 or 3.
Season	Recommended season is from March till September but mostly the weather remains cloudy due to monsoon season. Spotting is not possible in winters due to fog and smog.
Security	+++ SPOTTING IS AT YOUR OWN RISK IN PAKISTAN +++ Spotting in Pakistan is neither supported or understood or tolerated. Especially taking pictures evincing airport buildings or facilities will may cause problems and punishments (which can range from a check by police to imprisonment in worst case) by the police. We will not be liable for any inconveniences with local authorities. Spotting at Lahore Airport is at your own risk. Keep a low profile wherever you are. Spotterguide recommend you to get in touch with the locals by using their following email: pspk.media@gmail.com
Runway Usage
36R/18L	36R is the most used runway throughout the year but 18L is used during monsoon season. Main runway is 36R/18L (closed for maintenance till 2022)
36L/18R	Its a secondary runway but is commonly used by military and general aviation aircraft.

	Spot #1 – DHA Phase 5 Sector H Park – Morning arrivals runway 36R/L
WHERE	There is a small park besides a mosque in DHA Phase 5.

WHAT	Runways 36R/L arrivals.

TIME	From sunrise till 11am.

MISC.	The park is very safe unless you make noise. The locals are quite friendly but dont tell them about aviation photography. Maintain a low profile. There are a few benches inside the park where you can spend a picnic. There aer no shops nearby so bring snacks and water with you.

FOCAL LENGTH	Focal length required between 150-200mm

	Spot #2 – Daewoo Terminal DHA – Evening arrivals runway 36R/L
WHERE	Daewoo is a renowned bus service in Pakistan. One of their terminals is in DHA which you can find on Google maps. There is a big ground besides the terminal offering a very good view of the landing aircraft.

WHAT	Runways 36R/L arrivals.

TIME	From 1pm till sunset.

MISC.	There is a community club besides the bus terminal. Try to stay undercover and don’t expose your camera to the locals. The area is under the supervision of the society’s security. They keep roaming on the bikes. They don’t usually say anything but if they find out your camera, they will kick you out of the society or even call the cops.

FOCAL LENGTH	Between 240-280mm for wide-body aircraft

	Spot #3 – Rahbar Medical and Dental College – Morning departures runway 36R/L
WHERE	Rahbar Medical and Dental College or RMDC is located around 3 km away from the airport but its a safe location and provide good view of the take-offs. The take-off area is surrounded by the military area i.e. Rangers HQ and Cantonment area. The college is located away from the military area.

WHAT	Runways 36R/L departures.

TIME	From sunrise till 11am.

MISC.	Park the car outside the college and try to capture from inside the car. The locals are a bit rude but they don’t make any trouble. Try to avoid the military areas. Food and refreshments are easily available near the college but you wont find any restrooms.

FOCAL LENGTH	180-210mm for wide-bodies.

	Spot #4 – Army Museum/Shuhada park – Evening departures runway 36R/L
WHERE	The army museum is located inside the cantonment area. Don’t tell about plane spotting at any of the army check posts. There is also a park besides the museum in case if you don’t want to enter the museum.

WHAT	The museum offers 5-6 static planes as well as the OPLA take-offs. The guards inside the museum are very friendly and they don’t say anything about plane spotting. But you can take only 1 lens inside the museum and that’s too without the lens hood. Museum timings are 9:30 Am to 4:30 Pm. 36R/L departures.

TIME	From 1pm till sunset.

MISC.	There is a cafeteria inside the museum but no restrooms. Stay undercover and behave friendly. Museum remains closed on Thursdays and Fridays.

FOCAL LENGTH	180-200mm for narrow bodies and 110-140mm for wide-bodies.

	Spot #5 – Pedestrian bridge canal road – Evening arrivals runway 18L/R
WHERE	On the canal road there is a pedestrian crossing bridge. There are a lot of trees and wires on the canal road that’s why you have to go to an elevated place. This bridge is a perfect spot to capture evening arrivals for runway 18L/R. Runway 36 take-offs can also be captured from the bridge.

WHAT	The motorbikes also cross from the same bridge so try to avoid bikes. Park the car under the bridge and climb the stairs.

TIME	From 1pm to 5pm.

MISC.	The locals are very interfering but also friendly at the same time but try to stay undercover and don’t expose the camera for a longer period. Roadside stalls of the food can be found easily on the canal road.

FOCAL LENGTH	220-240mm for landings and 320-380mm for take-offs.