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ANYONE who has passed through the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad will agree that its new ranking as the world’s ninth worst airport — previously it was the worst — is a well-deserved ‘honour’.
An international airport that chokes up with the arrival of more than one flight at the same time rightly deserves to take pride in this accomplishment.
From the approach, to the parking and entry into the terminal building, the airport can give any bus terminal in the country serious competition when it comes to the quality of planning.
Also read: Islamabad airport now ‘9th-worst in the world’
The check-in counters are a reminder of what bank branches looked like back in the era of nationalised banks, and the departure lounges are fit to be used as cattle pens.
Boarding a flight is an equally frenzied experience, especially if it is raining, because this international airport in the capital city of a nuclear-armed nation does not have passenger boarding bridges or any covered approach to the aircraft.
It is probably a good thing that the passengers surveyed for the list never used the VIP lounge because over there they have no such issues.
Over there, the tea is always steaming hot and the biscuits as crisp as the uniforms of the waiters who serve them. Had the group which compiled the list of the 10 worst airports in the world from a survey of passengers included any of Islamabad’s legion of VIPs as respondents, it is likely the little airport with a big name would never have found such ‘distinction’. That would have been grossly unfair.
It is high time that the tacky marvels of Islamabad, products of chronically malnourished aesthetics, be acknowledged for what they are, and the airport is as good a place to start as any.
So let’s take some pride at this distinction, even if it is a little dubious, and let’s also take heart from the thought that soon the new terminal will be ready, and this distinction will be lost forever. Better late than never.
Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2015
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Comments (124) Closed
Oct 22, 2015 02:29am
WOW! Here are neighbors.
http://www.rediff.com/business/report/pix-special-3-indian-airports-among-the-worlds-best/20150218.htm
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Oct 22, 2015 07:43am
Well, now Indians can say Delhi and Mumbai air ports are one of the best. May be true, but the story doesn't end there. Moment you step out of the main door into the lobby, it is a different world of Chaos. Stray dogs, lane less roads, people, taxis, cows and carts all fight for their rights. What is the point in making the airport lounge shiny when you come out you see all the dirt. Pakistan or India, we need a balanced development where every thing is in balance.
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Oct 22, 2015 07:54am
@Jawad None of the Indian airports are among the world's best!
Here's the proper rating, where do you see India even in top 50 ???
http://www.worldairportawards.com/awards/world_airport_rating.html
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Oct 22, 2015 07:59am
Another feather in Nawaz's govt cap...!!
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Oct 22, 2015 08:02am
Not sure about pakistani airports, being afraid to travel there. The new Mumbai airport is just fabulous, the Delhi airport wondeful, the Benagluru airport busy and bustling and neat, and Hyderabad airport large and sprawling. Not bad in India for the most part.
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Oct 22, 2015 08:27am
http://www.worldairportawards.com/
India have 3 airports among the list of 100 best airports in the world
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Oct 22, 2015 08:28am
@Jawad The diffeence is they are run by private entities and no politicizing as far as maintenance and discipline is concerned. I laud them for keeping it that way. When Jinnah terminal was opened in early 90s we 'once' hoped the same but alas, our own people are behind its demise. It's so unfortunate. All I see now is colorful flags of our disintegration at every exit of Jinnah terminal.
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Oct 22, 2015 08:29am
Here is other agency that rates airport!
http://www.aci.aero/Airport-Service-Quality/ASQ-Awards/Current-Winners/Best-Airport-By-Size/25-40million
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Oct 22, 2015 08:33am
We have many other dubious distinctions to place in our "hall of pride" as the world thinks of more and more to bestow upon us : the most dangerous country in the world, the most dangerous place for journalists, one of the top-most corrupt countries, one of the most intolerant and decadent societies, can boast of one of the worst educational systems going further down the gutter, one of the worst traffic systems in the world, high rate of child abuse, one of the highesthigh infant mortality rates, one of the most repressive societies for females, a very safe haven for money launderers, no safety / security for ordinary citizens, no safe drinking water for majority of the population, tardy and corrupt legal system........ the list can go on and on.
The latest "honor" conferred on Islamabad Airport is just another in the long list of so many dubious distinctions that we already hold so nonchalantly.
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Oct 22, 2015 08:34am
Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi is ranked 1 as the best Air port in the world followed by Taiwan and China. Mumbai Airport got 5th place and Hyderabad (India) also in the topper's list. I am proud!!
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Oct 22, 2015 08:39am
@Hasan you can claim your site is genuine, if that gives you some amount of relief and satisfaction.
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Oct 22, 2015 08:50am
Bad quality and expensive food.
Can't even imagine drinking such a third class coffee, tea and snacks from outside that we generally experience at Islamabad airport.
One wonders when the management will feel SHEME on this and overall management of the Islamabad airport.
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Oct 22, 2015 09:05am
I visited many times, it is one of the worst.
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Oct 22, 2015 09:12am
Fully agree, so much staff, but doing nothing. Have one old tractor to tow luggage carts. Just imagine if three flights arrive at same time.
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Oct 22, 2015 09:30am
Why should airports be better designed & planned than bus stations ? As somebody who has designed & built many plants, I can tell you that planning is a state of thinking rather than the expense. If an area is to be airconditioned, you design it differently than if it has to be in the open. However, in both cases, you need to consider the user's requirements & design accordingly.
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Oct 22, 2015 09:34am
It is shameful.
At least now, authorities should awake and do the needful without any discretion.
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Oct 22, 2015 09:38am
The Indira Gandhi International Airport has been ranked as the best airport in the world in the 25-40 million passengers per annum category
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Oct 22, 2015 09:39am
Indeed a true pictorial survey!
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Oct 22, 2015 09:46am
The biggest curse of Islamabad airport is the VIP culture of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. There are so many MPAs, MNAs and bureaucrats in these two cities that they just couldn't careless how ordinary person checks in/out for his/her flight because they have their CIP lounge. These guys are the pharaohs of this era.
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Oct 22, 2015 09:46am
Rightly mentioned airport with a big name like Benazir Bhutto. We should ashame of ourselves and really need to 'do' something more than lip service.
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Oct 22, 2015 09:54am
Oh bad luck , we miss the first place.....Sorry guys better luck next time
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Oct 22, 2015 10:03am
I have been through Islamabad airport many times. It's not that bad to be honest. Stansted airport is the worst airport I have ever been through. If you think people are kept as cattle in Islamabad then you should try boarding an early flight at stansted and you will know what it feels like to be herded. I guess these ratings are just biased to make pakistan look bad. It's all xenophobia, nothing else.
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Oct 22, 2015 10:07am
Are indian airports more furnished or what? why they are in top ranking?
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Oct 22, 2015 10:12am
Instead of comparing India and Pakistan's airport, we should focus on mutual cooperation to build the infrastructure of both these great nations. Both our countries face unique challenges. We should sit and discuss and learn from each other and come up with solutions. Pakistan can learn a lot from our experiences in building the new terminals. Now, if the Pakistan leadership turns a blind eye towards acknowledging Indian expertise and turns to some other nation who are not used to our sub-continent's problems and conditions, then they need to be far more matured in years to come to face the new challenges of the future.
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Oct 22, 2015 10:18am
It is based on customer feedback on one web page, not a survey being conducted by population travelling through these airports hence not reliable. Though the services on all Pakistan's airports wrt customer clearance and other facilities needs to be improved.
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Oct 22, 2015 10:36am
Islamabad’s ‘pride’.... in my opinion its pride is the corrupt official.... There are two kinds of pride, both good and bad. 'Good pride' represents our dignity and self-respect. 'Bad pride' is the deadly sin of superiority that reeks of conceit and arrogance.
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Oct 22, 2015 10:43am
Don't agree with the title.
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Oct 22, 2015 10:46am
Yup, Islamabad international airport is indeed the worst airport i have ever seen. Essentially it is just an 'upgraded' military cargo terminal of Chaklala air base which was supposed to be a makeshift airport until the new airport completes. But as far as i know from past around 15 years or so that new airport is still under construction and the Air force base's cargo terminal has been the entry gate to Pakistan.
I wonder why every govt that comes to power don't take this excuse of an airport seriously.
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Oct 22, 2015 10:47am
This is nothing to be proud of.
The government of Pakistan should be ashamed to be ascribed with this dubious distinction in the nation's capital of all places.
And a declared Nuclear Power no less!
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Oct 22, 2015 10:57am
http://www.worldairportawards.com/Awards/worlds_most_improved_airports.html
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Oct 22, 2015 11:03am
and why i am not surprised
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Oct 22, 2015 11:05am
airport at india's one of the most backward states chhatisgarh:http://www.zingyhomes.com/project-detail/prof-charanjit-s-shah_8757/swami-vivekananda-airport-raipur/
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Oct 22, 2015 11:08am
@khanm Very well said.
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Oct 22, 2015 11:15am
More than airports India Pakistan need to concenteate on basic infrastructures like metro trains , bus service an proper roads. Because airports are mostly used by politicians, big shots and international passengers.
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Oct 22, 2015 11:20am
@Faizan They are privately bulit
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Oct 22, 2015 11:21am
They are privately bulit.
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Oct 22, 2015 11:23am
Don't know where Sadhu got his ranking from but please take a note that none of India's airports are even among the top 50 airports of the world let alone 1st and 5th.Just for readers record. This is the Forbes list of top ten airports of the world.
Sky Trax list is more or less the same.
1.Singapore Changi Airport
2.Incheon International Airport
3.Munich Airport
4.Hong Kong International Airport
5.Amsterdam Schipol Airport
6.Tokyo International Airport
7.Beijing Capital International Airport
8.Zurich Airport
9.Vancouver International Airport
10.London Heathrow Airport
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Oct 22, 2015 11:26am
Very correct, may be ranking is different, I think it should be 1 to 3 rank in the world worst airport. I have little experience of Islamabad Airport, it is worst than LARRI ADDA. Reason is, the management and public are on the same page. No one protest, no one interested in improvement. Thanks Dawn for highlighting.
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Oct 22, 2015 11:30am
come and see the peshawar airport im sure you will laugh
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Oct 22, 2015 11:49am
@Khalid Hassan Khan - Those are general rankings, meaning the rankings of the airports regardless of their categories. Now if you rank them according to their categories then New Delhi's Terminal 3 is the best airport in the 25-40 million passengers category. Similarly with the Hyderabad and Mumbai airports. These are two different rankings.
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Oct 22, 2015 12:17pm
In October 2014 when I landed on Islamabad airport through Emirates Airlines,
it was raining, you will not believe that our luggage get wet and the carrier belt was like a canal.
when it is the position of the window of entering to the country, what one expect from the rest of the country.
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Oct 22, 2015 12:19pm
Something both Nawaz and Zardari must be proud of.......
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Oct 22, 2015 12:22pm
Even Karachi's airport is now failing the city. It is clear KHI needs a new better equipped airport.
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Oct 22, 2015 12:25pm
Karachi's Jinnah International Airport beats Islamabad's and Lahore's by miles!
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Oct 22, 2015 12:26pm
@Syed Irfan Ali "Big name"?
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Oct 22, 2015 12:28pm
Islamabad airport has improved a lot from last year, the efficiency of staff has improved drastically especially on immigration part both on exit and entry(hardly 5 mins wait) , no more opening of luggage from Custom & ticket counter has been increased to double capacity. with the limited space, you cannot improve further unless new airport will not be inaugurated.
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Oct 22, 2015 12:43pm
For those who are commenting about Indian Airports are in among world's Best 10. No offence, but get you Facts right.
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/19/aviation/worlds-worst-airports-2015/
P.S Scroll down a bit and you will see the world's best list.
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Oct 22, 2015 12:53pm
Worst or Best .. it is fulfilling its purpose..
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Oct 22, 2015 12:59pm
I have travelled a number of times from Islamabad in the last 6-7 years. Last time was almost a year ago and I hear the airport has since undergone a 'renovation' which I have not experienced.
Based on my previous experiences, though, I agree with the writer it is a small airport, overly congested despite not many flights to/from this airport. Most interesting aspect is various government departments competing as to which one can cause most inconvenience to the passengers. From amongst the Anti Narcotics (ANF), Customs, CAA and Immigration, I think so far ANF is the clear winner (based on who can cause the longest delays in addition to having the intelligence to ask most stupid and irrelevant questions). Keep it up ANF!
However, I disagree with the assessment that it is ranked amongst the worst airports in the world. I have personally been to at least a few airport (Lungi in Sierra Leone, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to name a few) which are much more inconvenient and full of hassles.
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Oct 22, 2015 01:00pm
the writer castigated authorities well
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Oct 22, 2015 01:13pm
Indian airports are doing quite well with some sites even quoting them to be the world's best.
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Oct 22, 2015 01:19pm
@Rahim
Nonsense. Stansted airport is million times better than ISB.
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Oct 22, 2015 01:20pm
Unfortunately, the writer is absolutely correct!
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Oct 22, 2015 01:24pm
@Pakistani : You said Islamabad airport "Have one old tractor to tow luggage carts". Tractors !!!! Battery driven you mean. If not, then change it quickly and the airport will be among the top ten in the world.
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Oct 22, 2015 01:43pm
@Syed Irfan Ali Rename it as Nawaz Sharif Airport and see how quickly it will become one of the best airports.
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Oct 22, 2015 01:50pm
It's still an accomplishment. Pride of dictators and governments.
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Oct 22, 2015 02:16pm
@Hasan
The page cannot be found !!!
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Oct 22, 2015 02:18pm
The airport and the facilities deserve the ranking as one of the worst in the world. I use Business Class lounge at Islamabad airport when I travel there, and what a sorry looking lounge! Having used many across the world, there is no doubt it is at the bottom of the heap.
The only airport Islamabad can compete with is the one in Masai Mari in Kenya - which is just a hut and dirt strip.
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Oct 22, 2015 02:19pm
How authority earned such a"Tamga,"I must say hysterical achievement! Whenever, I passed through it my experience said quite opposite.Even once a lady from the airport sent a massage to another person to Karachi departure lounge with request that the passenger's luggage was over weighted.Try to share it with other Dhaka bound passenger with lesser weight. If not don't take any extra charge those were books! the lady didn't tell her name and only said"I used my powerful relative's name for the purpose and smilingly added "I won't divulge that name. You journalist people are notorious"! she gave a print copy and requested me, "please show it to nay body of departure lounge."
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Oct 22, 2015 02:20pm
Yes, I totally agree to this ranking of Islamabad airport.
Hope, our new airport which is due to open in 2016, will inverse this rating...
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Oct 22, 2015 02:20pm
well cannot say about ISB airport, but for a fact i know that if Pakistanis try to do something good they can do really well.
I have got chance to compare Karachi airport versus dubai airport. There is no doubt that Dubai airport in its infrastructure and Tech savvy nature is well ahead of KHI. but in human services KHI airport is easily comparable to Dubai, especially when the staff at KHI airport really want to do good work.
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Oct 22, 2015 02:27pm
Last time I came through Jinnah airport all my luggage was ransacked,moblie clothes etc stolen.I had to wait hours before they returned my belongings after making a fuss.We the citizens don't care less for our country name.
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Oct 22, 2015 02:43pm
@Khalid Hassan Khan airports are ranked by the number of passengers they handle in a year. Less than 5 million/year, Ahemadabad is # 5. 15-25 million, Hyderabad is # 3. 25-40 million Delhi is # 1 and Mumbai is # 3. India does not have an airport that handles more than 40 million at this time. That is where, Singapore etc. come in.
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Oct 22, 2015 02:52pm
Indians needs to travel to Karachi and Lahore airport then they would know what the real airports are like, they will forget about their so called "best" airports.
On the subject, what is happening to the new Islamabad airport? We were told it will become operational soon?
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Oct 22, 2015 02:52pm
We could've easily been shoved even more down this list if the new Islamabad airport had been inaugurated and flight traffic shifted to it.
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Oct 22, 2015 02:54pm
@adnan.ali -Those are general rankings, meaning the rankings of the airports regardless of their categories. Now if you rank them according to their categories then New Delhi's Terminal 3 is the best airport in the 25-40 million passengers category. Similarly with the Hyderabad and Mumbai airports. These are two different rankings.
Check out this website
http://www.rediff.com/business/report/pix-special-3-indian-airports-among-the-worlds-best/20150218.htm
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Oct 22, 2015 03:00pm
To all my fellow Pakistanis, I am a frequent visitor to Mumbai and I can assure you, it is one of the most effecient airports in the world. Of course, there are growing pains, mainly because everyone in the world wants to do business with India and Mumbai is the business hub of the country., but I can always see that the airport is being improved. On the other hand, we in Pakistan, do not have a single airport we can be proud of. No airline, except for the middle eastern airlines carrying labourers, comes to Pakistan. No airlines allows its crew to stay in Pakistan overnight as they all go back to their hubs. Nobody thinks or cares about that. With all this poverty and being the joke of the world, I still see my fellow citizens comparing their country to India and passing arrogant and even rude remarks. My parents didn't bring me up to hate anyone on the basis of their religion, race, gender or social standing. My father used to always remind me to call our driver "uncle".
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Oct 22, 2015 03:01pm
@Taimoor Khan I wouldn't brag too much about Karachi airport.
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Oct 22, 2015 03:30pm
@Jawad Don't feel bad. Worse ranking than Bhutto airport are King Abdullah airport in Saudi and the Nigerian airport in Lagoes too. With all the petroleum dollars they are unable to keep a efficient airport.
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Oct 22, 2015 03:57pm
And look at our people Giving excuses of Indian Airports in the list.
Tell you What Why we are so backward and Destructive?
We do not admit our mistakes / issues.
We compare everything with India that's not necessary as corruption or poverty in india does not justify poverty in Pakistan does it ? Huh ?
We live in a dreamy world thinking since we got atom bomb everything is fine but ITS NOT.
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Oct 22, 2015 04:00pm
@KHALID HASSAN KHAN The latest report is Indian airports has been ranked as the best airport in the world in the '25-40 million passengers per annum category'.
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Oct 22, 2015 04:03pm
Guys, why are you comparing. As if by comparing ISB airport will become world class. Just accept the fact, that this Govt is filling their pockets. The areas (Education, health etc) that deserve attention, are so deprived than how come we can talk about Airports. If Delhi or Mumbai is better, let it be. We should improve things at our end instead of check ratings on useless survey sites.
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Oct 22, 2015 04:08pm
I saw it when it was worst and really it was worst. I came on a flight from Europe via Emirates to Islamabad. Everything was professional until i reached Islamabad, including the passengers behavior changed as they came off the plane. I recently traveled again and found it far better than previous visit. Its really commendable job. I APPRECIATE.......................................................................... ........GOOD JOB DONE
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Oct 22, 2015 04:08pm
Islamabad airport is horrible. The most horrid parts are: approach to the airport, parking, and exiting the parking lot within a decent time span.
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Oct 22, 2015 04:20pm
This is the best example where corruption starts in Pakistan. Dawn should do some real investigated reporting; to check how much was really invested on the airport and where is the rest of the money.
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Oct 22, 2015 04:22pm
Why are Pakistani airports being compared with Indian airports?
When we in India discuss our airports, railway stations or even markets, we never bother to find out how are they in Pakistan. We never consider that we are in any kind of race with Pakistan. We wish to improve India for our own welfare.
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Oct 22, 2015 04:45pm
@Waqar >>Yup, Islamabad international airport is indeed the worst airport i have ever seen. Essentially it is just an 'upgraded' military cargo terminal of Chaklala air base which was supposed to be a makeshift airport until the new airport completes. But as far as i know from past around 15 years or so that new airport is still under construction and the Air force base's cargo terminal has been the entry gate to Pakistan.
I wonder why every govt that comes to power don't take this excuse of an airport seriously.
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Oct 22, 2015 04:46pm
@Khalid then move to inda and when it became a shame to be a labour?
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Oct 22, 2015 05:34pm
@Nachiket we compare our infrastructure with India because India is a role model for us. It is good luck of Pakistan that India is growing. Ha ha ha ???
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Oct 22, 2015 05:49pm
What a pity! We cannot sort out the airport for the Nation's capital!
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Oct 22, 2015 05:54pm
Hey, but we have over 100 nuclear bombs and soon will have 200 of them. Who cares about the airports, most of them are used by the VIPs and rich people anyway. And VIPs don't have a problem, do they?
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Oct 22, 2015 06:13pm
@ali
Your response to Khaild is in bad taste. I think, you did not get what Khalid was saying.
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Oct 22, 2015 06:24pm
Get right merit people in right jobs, see how things begin to work.
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Oct 22, 2015 06:26pm
@Shahzad Appreciate it. Some sane people still left in Pakistan.
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Oct 22, 2015 06:33pm
Here we are again fighting. Dear country men: if in real the Indian airports are good, they should be appreciated. Passenger behaviors at Islamabad airport is also not the best. تالی ایک ہاتھ سے نہیں بجتی
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Oct 22, 2015 06:35pm
@Taimoor Khan Have you been to Indian airports?
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Oct 22, 2015 07:21pm
I have regular visitor of Mumbai air port, It seems to highly patronised similar to UAE
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Oct 22, 2015 07:22pm
@Kittu This award is about airport conditions, not economic or social conditions. an airport is the first place a foreigner experiences India, and being able to provide a decent welcome goes far in creating favorable perceptions.
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Oct 22, 2015 07:23pm
@Taimoor Khan if there was a honest ranking on airports in south Asia i don't think either of Lahore or Karachi will be in top 10. Indian airports have improved a lot in last 10 years
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Oct 22, 2015 07:24pm
Been there many times, it's not a great airport, but it shouldn't be in the list, may other bad ones out there, I've been around the world..... Can't wait for the new one to open...
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Oct 22, 2015 07:30pm
Islamabad airport is one of the worst airport is for the simple reason that it is not a proper civilian airport. It was an air force base turned into a makeshift airport.
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Oct 22, 2015 07:34pm
i have seen many airports world over. in the last 10 years indian airports have vastly improved. Bangalore old airport was bad. the new one is super efficient. it takes 6-7 mins from entrance to gates. delhi, mumbai and hyderabad are swanky and on par with the worlds best. Nothing can beat singapore. i went to kl to see what is special. honestly did not find it that great. i have been to all major airports in US. they are average but the traffic they handle is huge…hong kong is land reclaimed in the sea. it is beautiful.
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Oct 22, 2015 08:12pm
Islamabad airport rating may not change even with the new building. Because, it is not the building, it is the service management that ensures higher rating, which depends on specialized organizational capabilities required to provide value to the customers in the form of service.
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Oct 22, 2015 08:50pm
Islamabad airport is a Lari Addha at the best.
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Oct 22, 2015 08:50pm
Congrats!
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Oct 22, 2015 09:23pm
Singapore the best in the world and Port Harcourt in Nigeria the worst. In between there are surprises as the New York, Paris and Jeddah are among the 10 worst.
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Oct 22, 2015 09:35pm
@Kittu Very well said. I completely agree. Indeed, India and Pakistan are much like each other in more or less all issues, corruption, dirt, incompetence, misuse of power, etc.
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Oct 22, 2015 11:13pm
@khara aur karwa such beautifully explained. and I would add -law of the jungle where might is right and people do not get justice
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Oct 22, 2015 11:15pm
My brother lives very close to airport and use to pick us up. This time he told me that it takes hours to go in and out of airport. So, manage your trip accordingly. That was not the case in late 1990s when last time I visited Islamabad
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Oct 23, 2015 01:37am
@Hasan ....at least 3 indian airports are in the top 100..delhi, bengaluru and hyderabad in your list even.
I dont see any of our airports in the top 100.
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Oct 23, 2015 04:34am
Few years back I arrived at the Islamabad air port and as i walked in, I saw haze in the big hall as if ealier there was some sort of storm but as i walked further, to my surprise I saw an older lady with ' Jarroo' an old fashiond cleaning tool cleaning the floor and in turn throwing all that dust in the air. But by now I hope things must have improved.
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Oct 23, 2015 07:37am
here we are talking about Islamabad airport. no need to draw comparisons with Indian airports. we should try to keep our house in order. if they have done it's good for them but it also proves that when our neighbours can achieve its not impossible for us to accomplish our objectives as well
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Oct 23, 2015 08:32am
@Khalid Hassan Khan You are showing 40+ million category list. Delhi still falls in 25-40 million category and is the best in its category. So please check the categories available on skytrax website.
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Oct 23, 2015 10:19am
@Muhammad Irfan If Nawaz government had built it, they wouldn't have named it Benazir Bhutto airport.
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Oct 23, 2015 12:13pm
@Hasan It goes with category man. What you are referring doesn't mention any category.
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Oct 23, 2015 01:07pm
absolutely true
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Oct 23, 2015 03:22pm
@Khalid you sir are a true gentleman irrespective of your views.
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Oct 23, 2015 04:34pm
@Umair Right! karachi airport doesn't seem to be in the same country. Lahore is worse than Karachi too
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Oct 23, 2015 07:29pm
Lets first change the name of this airport.
Lets ban naming national and government buildings on politicians name, she has done nothing for my country.
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Oct 23, 2015 09:52pm
@Khalid Hassan Khan Rankings are categorized according to passenger load per annum and satisfaction. India is among the top in 25-40 million passenges per annum category.
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Oct 23, 2015 10:03pm
pride the other word for shame
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Oct 23, 2015 10:19pm
@Angry Pitbull A large Indian middle class travels by air.I think more than 5 lac people daily.
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Oct 23, 2015 10:30pm
It should be ranked top 3
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Oct 23, 2015 11:01pm
@Tough Truth What are you on about? Lahore's airport is clean, well run and looks great. I am sure that with Nawaz Sharif in power, it's only a matter of time before the new airport in Islamabad is finally completed. And what is it with all the Indians here boasting about their airports? I don't care about what airports are like in India, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh. I want to know how we can improve things in Pakistan. Jumping up and down about an airport in Bombay or Dehli won't change the rape problems and abject poverty in India. They need to focus on spending more in India on alleviating the widespread poverty and people living on streets with no homes.
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Oct 24, 2015 05:02am
At present all our attention is on building metros and orange lines etc. etc. because of the reasons you must be knowing. When we are done with that we will see if our airports really need any improvements :).
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Oct 24, 2015 08:11am
Indian airports are good now because of the Vision by earlier govts and efficiently carried out by prapul patel former avaiation minister.More than 50 Airports are modrenised and built during period from 2004 to 2014. Earlier indian airports competed for the worst and airports in pakistan were better.
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Oct 24, 2015 10:25am
@Sadhu - joke of the decade. Have you been to the passenger waiting area lately at IGI airport New Delhi? Countless heads there. Worst of worse airport in the world. Smell inside and outside of the airport is just killer, totally unbearable. I was there last year to meet my Indian team and now I have moved the meeting to Singapore. Islamabad airport is small in size but amenities are OK which I seen this year in March.
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Oct 24, 2015 11:11am
@Faizan they are quite modernised..these things happen automatically when a country plays host to various international events..knce pakistan also gets back on track yhings will change there too..that said how about paying a visit my friend and seeing for yourself..we ain't that far away
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Oct 24, 2015 11:13am
@Taimoor Khan we would have given it a try if any of them had made it to any of the rankings..cut down the spite friend..
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Oct 24, 2015 11:16am
@Khalid Hassan Khan It is so interesting to see these ratings and lists. I am a regular traveler and can tell you that Amsterdam and London Heathrow should not be there in the top 10 at all. These two airports are very uncomfortable for the passengers. I cant tell about the others in the list as have no experience.
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Oct 24, 2015 12:00pm
Wonder why there is so many people are quick to compare Pakistani airports with Indian airports. I have been through most major Indian airports and seen vast improvements over last decade or so. At the same time there is still huge improvement required in our rad infrastructure, public transport, cleanliness and so on. We are working on it.
Have not been at any Pakistani airport. There is no reason why Pakistani airports should not improve. It just takes will and push from socially active citizens.
In a nutshell, lets stop comparing/downplaying each other. High time we focus getting at par with the developed world.
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Oct 24, 2015 04:26pm
The airport in the name of Benezir is an insult to bibi Benezir who was Pakistan's prettiest politician. Let the departed soul rest in peace.
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Oct 24, 2015 05:49pm
It is naïve to expect that there is no Accountability of politicians and wherever is name it is operated, it is just an eye wash, and things keep moving in the same corrupt way.
Why do we not understand that when a politician spends tens of crores of rupees to win election, do you not understand it is never for public service. This is simply an investment, like any other business or industry, and the person spending expects as much return as possible, even 10, 20, or 50 times.
And to evade detection, and escape punishment, he himself becomes the law maker and law breaker, and since each one is corrupt, who will check who, and why did his own grave. Bureaucrats are the simplest tool and partner to make rules, and when politicians or fellow bureaucrat is caught, he alone interprets the law, and allow the culprits to escape through quoting mischief minor rules and procedures.
Till elections are made expense free, no use blaming politicians for corruptions, and frauds.
Suraj Parkash
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Oct 24, 2015 10:38pm
according to Official world Airport ranking organistaion ACI , igi is really is the best airport in the world. whatever people below are saying is just from hobo sites , not from any organistaion ranking
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