Pakistan’s three major airports to install e-gates for international travellers

The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has decided to install e-gates at all the three major airports of the country — Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore.

The e-gates to be installed at the international arrival and departure lounges of the three airports will simplify and speed up the immigration process and the international commuters will no longer have to wait in long queues.

Earlier, the PAA has concluded the design phase of its e-Gates project for Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore international airports after a series of stakeholder workshops.

A PAA spokesman said the initiative aims `to introduce biometricbased automated border control at major airports to significantly enhance passenger facilitation, reduce wait times, and improve security.”

German consultancy M2P Consulting will now develop technical specifications and tender documents to invite proposals from global e-Gate providers.

The project reflects PAA`s vision `to integrate smart technologies into airport operations, ensuring seamless and secure travel experiences, the spokesman said.

Earlier, aviation sources have confirmed that Pakistan has restored its flight operations to the Gulf countries after the reopening of airspace over Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.

The resumption of flights follows temporary suspension of operations by national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) late last night due to escalating tensions in the region. The PIA has now restored its Gulf-bound flights; however, delays are still expected in departures.

According to flight schedules, a total of 32 flights from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and other airports across the country have been cancelled, including 14 Qatar Airways flights.

Airline sources added that 55 flights - both arrivals and departures - have been delayed at airports in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and other cities.

Several flights had to be diverted to alternate airports due to the deteriorating situation in the Gulf.

Bahrain and Kuwait resumed operations earlier, followed by Qatar later in the night, paving the way for partial restoration of services.

Severe delays are being reported across multiple routes. PIA flight PK 747 from Lahore to Madinah is delayed by 13 hours, while PK 247 from Lahore to Dammam faces a 6.5-hour delay.

Qatar Airways flight QR 621 from Doha to Karachi and Lahore is delayed by 10 hours. PIA flight PK 233 from Islamabad to Dubai is delayed by a staggering 15 hours.