Call one of our experts to discuss your next holiday with Vertical Explorers +92 (0)31 555 444 34
Faisalabad International Airport (IATA: LYP, ICAO: OPFA) is an international airport and standby Pakistan Air Force military base situated on Jhang Road, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) southwest of the city centre of Faisalabad, in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The airport is home to two flying schools who use the airfield for regular training for new cadets and aviation enthusiasts.
The airport serves the population of Faisalabad and several local cities such as Tandlianwala, Kamalia, Jaranwala, Jhang, Chiniot, Gojra, Dijkot, Samundri, Khurrianwala, Sangla Hill, Toba Tek Singh, Chenab Nagar, Sargodha, Bhawana, Pir Mahal, Chak Jhumra, Khichian, Jahangir Klan, and Lalian.
With a large diaspora of Faisalabadis living abroad, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has signed a new open policy to allow more airlines to operate from the city. The airport underwent a major transformation where the terminal building was completely remodelled to handle larger aircraft and passenger loads. The new terminal was opened in early 2018.
Early years
The airport traces its origins to the British Raj. The city government decided that Faisalabad had a strategic position within the South Asia and the British Empire. In 1942, the local government gave permission for the construction of a bricked strip measuring 5000′ by 100′. Regional aircraft used the strip, and it played a role in the fighting and evacuation during the struggle for independence.
It was originally known as Lyallpur Airfield and had been known as such until 1979 when the city was renamed as Faisalabad, in honour of late King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. It was henceforth renamed to Faisalabad Airport; the International Air Transport Association code remained LYP.
Shaheen Air operating Faisalabad – Jeddah flights using Boeing 767.
The national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) began domestic operations in 1958 operating several flights from Karachi. The majority of the flights contained cargo for export. In 1965, the bricked airstrip was re-built to meet standards at that time. The surface was built using bitumen and the length of the runway increased to 9000′ by 100′ to allow the airport to handle larger aircraft. During 1966–1967 construction began for a terminal and apron to handle propeller aircraft such as the Fokker F-27 Friendship.
In 1972 a new parallel runway with dimensions 9000 feet by 100 feet was constructed west of the existing runway, since the existing runway had deteriorated quite significantly. The new runway was designed to handle jet fuelled aircraft such as the Boeing 737. In 1974 a jet apron, Taxiway-B, Air Traffic Control tower and Met office were constructed. A premium lounge and Instrument Landing System (ILS) were installed in 1985. In 1986 the terminal building was extended to accommodate greater number of passengers. In 1991, the old runway was widened, strengthened and extended reaching dimensions of 9270′ by 150′ with surface bitumen to accommodate Airbus aircraft such as Airbus 310s. In 1993, a business class CIP Lounge was constructed and the terminal building was extended. In 1998, direct Hajj operations were started from the airport to Saudi Arabia.
On 20 December 2003, Aero Asia International launched twice a week operations from LYP to Dubai and increased its Karachi flights to thrice a week. In 2005, PIA launched direct flights from the capital city of Scotland, Glasgow to LYP with Airbus A310 aircraft. The airline also launched e-ticketing from the airport in December of the same year.] In December 2007, PIA operated its first Hajj flight from the city. In 2008, PIA began to operate flights from LYP to Sialkot International Airport, but this was soon axed. However, flights to Dubai were added. In 2009, PIA launched services from LYP to Rahim Yar Khan and Abu Dhabi. In 2010, PIA connected Bahawalpur to the city. In 2011, Shaheen Air was given approval to operate seasonal Hajj flights from Faisalabad to Jeddah. In the same year, Etihad Airways launched coach services for passengers based in Faisalabad to Lahore Airport. In 2012, Shaheen Air upgraded its Hajj flights to Boeing 767s. In June 2013, PIA ended its services to Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Multan due to non-availability of aircraft. Shaheen Air decided to launch operations in October of the same year to Dubai. In 2014, Air Indus launched its services to Karachi using Boeing 737-300s.
Check in Counters.
International premium lounge.
International economy holding lounge with food outlets.
Domestic economy holding lounge with food outlets.
Baggage Claim.
Fire fighting and Rescue Services.
LYP is fitted with all the essentials for domestic and international flights. The information below is correct as of October 2015.
Apron
Runway
Airport Services
Ground Handling Agents
Cargo Complex
Flying School Institutions
Additional
Runways
The main runway at the airport was inaugurated in 1972 which was built to handle jet aircraft such as the Boeing 737. As PIA acquired larger aircraft, the CAA decided to strengthen the runway in 1991 so the airport could handle wide body aircraft such as Airbus A300, Airbus A310 and Boeing 767-200ER.[39] The current length of the runway is 9,272 ft × 151 ft (2,826 m × 46 m). The runway is numbered 03 Coordinates: N31°21.30′ / E72°59.21′, Elevation: 587 and Runway Heading: 034° whilst 21 Coordinates: N31°22.53′ / E73°0.26′, Elevation: 591 and Runway Heading 214°.The runway is expected to renovated in late 2015 to make it Boeing 777 compatible. The runway is inspected by the CAA Runway Inspection Team several times a day during daily operations.
The former runway was closed several years later after the opening of 03/21. The runway is not numbered as per International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards but it is parallel to the main runway. The runway has been marked with several white crosses to inform landing aircraft that the runway is no longer operational. The runway is still however used by the general aviation and military aircraft for taxiing to the main runway.
Control tower
Faisalabad airport’s control tower stands at the centre of the airfield. It was built soon after the jet aircraft flights were inaugurated at the airport in 1974. Pakistan’s airspace is split into two FIR regions, Karachi and Lahore. The airport falls under Lahore’s Flight Information Region. Air traffic control is provided by the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan (CAA) and is governed by the Lahore Area Control Centre. Faisalabad Control tower provides aerodrome and approach control services to both civilian and military aircraft. Navigation aid facilities include Non Directional Beacon (NDB), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) and Instrument Landing System (ILS) which are all in operation at the airport.
Maintenance
Line maintenance services are undertaken by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). There are a number of general aviation and Pakistan Air Force hangars that are also located at the airport for line and base maintenance.
Security
Security is provided by Airports Security Force since its establishment in 1976. Following the incident at Karachi airport, the airport has a “Security Action Plan in place which is re-evaluated regularly by the ASF, Pakistan Air Force, CAA and police to check for vulnerable points and reaction times. Roads leading to the airport are also monitored by the Elite Police.
Cargo complex[edit]
In 1976, the CAA decided to build a cargo complex at the airport. The building is located on the righthand side of the passenger terminal and is used to handle goods imported and exported by air. The building is currently leased to Pakistan International Airlines. Most of the cargo is handled at the main PIA booking office in the city where it is collected and then transported to the airport. In 2015, the CAA decided to build a new cargo complex for cargo operations closer to the apron.
The airport is home to two flying schools: Air Academy Ltd. There is an additional apron in front of the terminal (airside) which is used to park Cessna aircraft and helicopters. The new apron measures 100 ft by 100 ft which includes a debriefing room and engineering workshop.
Airlines and destinationsAirlines Destinations
Air Arabia
Sharjah
flydubai
Dubai–International
Gulf Air
Bahrain
Pakistan International Airlines
Dubai–International, Jeddah, Karachi, Karachi, Skardu
Qatar Airways
Doha
Serene Air
Karachi
Click on Map to open
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Our expert locally based guides are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Our trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
We are 100% locals & created our tours by building meaningful relationships with local communities, directly benefiting the people and places we visit.
Join a small group of like-minded travellers that, like you, are eager to safely and confidently experience all the things that make our world worth exploring.
Pack those bags and don't break a sweat because we guarantee every single one of our departures. As long as it's safe, you're going!
No matter the Travel types, our tours balance well-planned itineraries with the flexibility to do your own thing and make the experience your own.
We ensure a hassle-free and safe experience with reliable local support. We provide you with a travel concierge dedicated to helping you 24/7 during your trip.
