Allama Iqbal International Airport (OPLA)
Large airport · Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Airport data
| Name | Allama Iqbal International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | OPLA |
| IATA | LHE |
| Elevation | 712 ft (217 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 31°31'18" E 74°24'13" 31.52160, 74.40360 |
| Location | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18L/36R | 11,024 ft (3360 m) | 151 ft | CON | Yes |
| 18R/36L | 9,000 ft (2743 m) | 151 ft | ASP | Yes |
Allama Iqbal International Airport at a glance
Allama Iqbal International Airport is a large airport in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, known to airline systems as LHE. The field elevation of 712 ft (217 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at OPLA are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
Of its 2 runways, the longest — 18L/36R — offers 11,024 ft (3360 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 18L points roughly 180° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for OPLA shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Allama Iqbal International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport | VIAR | 43 km (23 NM) |
| Sialkot International Airport | OPST | 113 km (61 NM) |
| Faisalabad International Airport | OPFA | 135 km (73 NM) |
| Jammu Airport | VIJU | 136 km (73 NM) |
| Pathankot Airport | VIPK | 141 km (76 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Allama Iqbal International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 712 ft field elevation of Allama Iqbal International Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 39 airports and airfields we list for Pakistan — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Allama Iqbal International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Allama Iqbal International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Allama Iqbal International Airport is OPLA, and its IATA code is LHE. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Allama Iqbal International Airport above sea level?
Allama Iqbal International Airport sits at an elevation of 712 feet (217 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Allama Iqbal International Airport located?
The airport lies at 31.5216, 74.4036 — in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport, about 43 km away.
Does OPLA publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for OPLA appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Allama Iqbal International Airport?
Allama Iqbal International Airport has 2 runways. The longest, 18L/36R, measures 11,024 ft (3360 m) with a CON surface.