If you are flying into Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) from the Gulf this week, expect your landing time to move. On 28 October several Gulf flights into Lahore landed late. One Lahore–Dubai service was cancelled. Airlines are telling passengers to check their flight status directly before they travel. The simple fix for your pickup is to book a car with driver for your confirmed flight and send the new time as soon as it changes. Grand Rent a Car's one-way airport fares in Lahore include petrol and parking, with 60 minutes of free waiting, and there is no night charge.
What is happening with Gulf flights at Lahore airport
Flights between Pakistan and the Gulf have been disrupted since early October because of tensions in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. On 10 October, Dunya News reported that the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) had set up a passenger facilitation counter at Lahore airport. It is on Level II, opposite the international departure entrance, and it helps passengers whose flights are delayed or cancelled [1].
The disruption is still going this week. Gulf News reported on 28 October that cancellations and delays were continuing across UAE airports, and it listed Fly Jinnah flight 9P512 (Lahore) as cancelled [2]. The Lahore airport arrivals board for 28 October shows a Fly Jinnah flight from Sharjah due at 03:45 that landed at 05:23. An Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi due at 18:15 landed at 19:32 [3]. Gulf News also warned that airport boards and airline apps can disagree, so passengers should confirm with their airline [2].
There is also longer-term news. On 29 October, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the expansion of the Lahore and Karachi airports under their master plans and said passenger convenience must come first [4]. That will not change this week's arrivals, but it is worth watching if you fly into Lahore often.
How delays affect your airport pickup
When a flight lands an hour or more late, the pickup is often what goes wrong. A relative waits outside for hours, or a booked driver leaves. Families arriving for weddings deal with this most, because they usually land late at night with heavy luggage. Here is how to avoid it:
- Check your flight with the airline before you take off and after you land. This is the advice in every report above [1][2].
- Send your pickup provider the flight number, not just the time. The time can change. The flight number stays the same.
- Message as soon as your time changes. If your flight is rescheduled to the next day, tell your driver straight away.
- Plan for a late-night landing. Many Gulf arrivals at LHE land between midnight and 6 am [3].
What a Grand airport pickup includes
Grand Rent a Car is a with-driver service in Lahore and runs its own fleet. That fleet is a Land Cruiser (a 2019 model converted to the LC-300 look), a Fortuner 2026, a JAC T9, a Prado and a white Yaris. All of them are black except the Yaris. Other cars, such as a Civic, City, Sonata, Sportage or Revo, can be arranged on request.
Airport fares are one way and include petrol and parking, with 60 minutes of free waiting. The driver meets you wherever you ask, and there is no night charge, which matters when your landing slips past midnight. Fares depend on where you are going in Lahore:
| Car | Near (Cantt, DHA, Gulberg) | Middle (Johar Town, Model Town, Wapda Town) | Far (Bahria Town, Lake City) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Yaris | Rs 4,000 | Rs 5,000 | Rs 6,000 |
| Fortuner 2026 / JAC T9 | Rs 13,000 | Rs 15,000 | Rs 17,000 |
| Prado | Rs 15,000 | Rs 17,000 | Rs 19,000 |
| Land Cruiser | Rs 22,000 | Rs 25,000 | Rs 28,000 |
A round trip (drop to the airport and pickup later) is the one-way fare plus 50%. Motorway tolls are extra. There are no hidden charges.
Fuel prices moved again today. The government raised petrol by Rs 1.85 to Rs 377.91 per litre from 29 October [5]. Because petrol is included in the airport fare above, a price change on the day does not change what you were quoted.
Landing in Lahore but going on to another city?
Many overseas families land at LHE and then drive to Islamabad, Sialkot or Faisalabad for a wedding or a family visit. Out-of-city trips are the base rate plus 25%, plus Rs 2,000 per night for the driver if he stays over. Motorway tolls are paid on top. For example, the M-2 Lahore–Islamabad toll for cars and jeeps has been Rs 1,430 since 5 July 2026 [6].
FAQ
My flight into Lahore is delayed. What should I do about my pickup?
Check the new time with your airline first [1][2], then send your flight number and revised landing time to your driver. With Grand, 60 minutes of waiting is free on airport fares.
Is there an extra charge for a late-night arrival at Lahore airport?
Not with Grand Rent a Car. There is no night charge, and one-way airport fares include petrol and parking.
Where is the help counter at Lahore airport if my flight is cancelled?
According to Dunya News, the PAA's passenger facilitation counter is on Level II, opposite the international departure entrance [1].
Book your Lahore airport pickup with Grand Rent a Car
If you or your family are flying into Lahore over the coming weeks, especially from Saudi Arabia or the UAE, book your car once your flight is confirmed and keep your driver updated if the time moves. Grand Rent a Car is near Islam Park Metro Train Station, G.T Road, Lahore. You can book on WhatsApp at +92 323 0096844 or call +92 323 0096844. See the full fare details on our Lahore airport transfer page. If you are visiting for a longer stay, read our guide to renting a car in Lahore for overseas Pakistanis.
Roman Urdu
Gulf flights mein delay chal rahe hain, is liye Lahore airport pickup se pehle apni flight check karein. Grand Rent a Car ka driver aap ki batai hui jagah par milta hai, one-way fare mein petrol aur parking shamil hai aur 60 minute waiting free hai. WhatsApp: +92 323 0096844.
Sources
- Dunya News, "Regional tensions disrupt flight operations across Pakistan", 10 Oct 2026. https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/977150-regional-tensions-disrupt-flight-operations-across-pakistan
- Gulf News, "UAE flight status today: Cancellations, delays, Saudi route changes and Middle East travel alerts", updated 28 Oct 2026. https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/uae-flight-status-today-cancellations-delays-saudi-route-changes-and-middle-east-travel-alerts-1.500726582
- LHE arrivals board, Wed 28 Oct 2026 (Exa flight library, local times UTC+5). https://exa.ai/library/flights/board/LHE?direction=arrivals&date=2026-10-28&v=ec11a353
- Geo News, "PM approves expansion of Lahore, Karachi airports", 29 Oct 2026. https://www.geo.tv/latest/688828-pm-approves-expansion-of-lahore-karachi-airports-orders-international-standards
- Radio Pakistan, "Govt revises prices of petroleum products", 29 Oct 2026. https://radio.gov.pk/29-10-2026/govt-revises-prices-of-petroleum-products
- Dawn, "NHA raises toll tax on Islamabad–Lahore Motorway by 7pc", 6 Jul 2026. https://www.dawn.com/news/2013188
Where to book
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