Director General FIA Raja Rafat Mukhtar, accompanied by Director FIA Islamabad Zone Shehzad Nadeem Bukhari, conducted an on-site review of immigration operations at Islamabad International Airport to assess passenger flow and operational readiness.
FIA Immigration currently handles an average of 94 international flights daily and clears more than 10,000 international passengers each day. To meet this demand the immigration unit operates in three shifts, with 15 counters active for departures and 13 counters for arrivals during peak operations.
Officials noted that simultaneous arrivals of multiple flights can create temporary congestion during busy periods. Weather disruptions and technical glitches that delay flights were identified as frequent triggers for such crowding. Despite these challenges, a record operation on 13 January saw FIA Immigration clear 2,400 passengers in a single hour, averaging about 4 passengers per minute during that surge.
To improve service and reduce queueing, FIA Immigration has strengthened coordination with the PAA and approved installation of a queue management system. Authorities also agreed on phased implementation of electronic gates and announced an increase in immigration staffing alongside the rollout of a pre-departure mobile app to streamline passenger processing. Dedicated queue staff will be deployed to guide travelers during peak times.
Officials say these measures aim to sustain smooth passenger movement while preserving security standards. Continued monitoring and close collaboration between FIA Immigration and airport authorities seek to minimise disruptions from operational delays and enhance the overall travel experience at Islamabad International Airport.
