ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has a total of 151 airports and landing strips of various sizes, but only a limited number of them remain operational.
Reports said just 10 airports are currently classified as active or international, with Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Sialkot, Peshawar, Faisalabad, and Quetta considered fully functional international airports.
Despite having international status, the New Gwadar, Skardu, and New Mirpur airports are not operational for international flights.
Major airports in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad also see very few foreign flight movements during the day compared to airports in similar-sized countries, where domestic and international operations are significantly higher.
Pakistan has 43 domestic-level airports, while the remaining 98 facilities consist of very small airstrips, landing strips, or military aviation locations.
Pakistan airports Go Cashless
In October this year, Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) has announced a major initiative to make all airports across the country cashless.
With this facility, passengers and staff are able to access all services at airports without using cash.
In collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan, QR codes will be installed at all airports to facilitate digital payments. Airport shops and vendors will also adopt cashless systems.
The first phase of the project will roll out at Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad airports, followed by Faisalabad, Multan, and Sialkot airports in the second phase.
Adopting cashless services at airports improves efficiency, reduces the risk of theft, and ensures safer transactions for passengers and staff.
Digital payments accelerate service delivery at shops, food courts, and ticket counters, reducing long queues and human error.
Cashless systems also provide transparent record-keeping, making financial tracking and auditing easier for airport authorities. Passengers benefit from convenient, contactless transactions, which is especially important amid health and safety concerns.
