Allama Iqbal International Airport

OPLA / LHE

Lahore, PK

Last Updated
Jul 5, 03:30Z

Current Weather

Display Units
Fresh 4 min ago
03:30Z

🌙 Night
IFR
Flight Rules
32°C
Temperature
Dewpoint: 27°C
10 kt
130°
3.5 km
Visibility
Ceiling
Unlimited
--
QNH
Altimeter Setting

Raw METAR

METAR OPLA 050330Z 13010KT 3500 FU SCT040 SCT100 32/27 BECMG 4000 FU RMK QFE974 A29.53

Clouds - Visual Profile

12,000ft
9,000ft
6,000ft
3,000ft
Ground
Field Elev: 712 ft
SCT 4,000 ft AGL
SCT 10,000 ft AGL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
4,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
4,712 ft AMSL
SCT
Scattered (3/8-4/8 sky coverage)
10,000 ft
AGL (Above Ground)
10,712 ft AMSL

Weather Briefing

IFR

Allama Iqbal International Airport is currently reporting instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions with scattered clouds at 4,000 feet and 3.5 km visibility.

Wind Analysis

Winds are from the southeast (130°) at 10 knots. Runway 18L/36R is favored with a 6-knot headwind and 8-knot crosswind component.

Visibility & Ceiling

Visibility is reduced to 3.5 km. IFR conditions prevail and an instrument clearance is required for operations in controlled airspace. No ceiling exists. Cloud layers reported: scattered at 4,000 ft, scattered at 10,000 ft.

Temperature & Moisture

Temperature is 32°C (90°F) with a dewpoint of 27°C, indicating moderate moisture conditions. High temperatures at this elevation may result in significant density altitude effects. Pilots should calculate density altitude and adjust performance expectations accordingly.

Forecast Outlook

The TAF forecast covers the next 30 hours. IFR conditions are expected to persist or develop. An instrument rating and IFR flight plan are recommended. Expected weather includes: Smoke, Thunderstorm Rain. Winds are forecast to reach up to 20 knots during the period. Expect variable wind speeds ranging from 5 to 20 knots. Temporary LIFR conditions are forecast with Thunderstorm Rain between 09:00Z and 13:00Z.

Pilot Recommendations

An instrument rating and IFR flight plan are required. Verify that destination and alternate approach minimums are above current and forecast conditions. The forecast indicates conditions may deteriorate. Ensure you have fuel reserves and a viable alternate airport.

This briefing is generated from real-time METAR and TAF data. Always verify with official sources before flight.

Forecast (TAF)

View Full TAF
Raw TAF
TAF OPLA 042300Z 0500/0606 16005KT 4000 FU FEW040 SCT100 TX39/0510Z TN30/0500Z FM050600 13010KT 6000 SCT040 SCT100 TEMPO 0509/0513 32020G40KT 1000 TSRA FEW030CB SCT040 BKN100 FM051400 16005KT 4000 FU FEW040 SCT100 FM060400 23006KT 6000 NSC
Upcoming Changes (Next 12 Hours)
03:33Z BASE
+0h
IFR 160° 5 kt
Visibility: 4 km
Smoke
06:00Z FM050600
+3h
MVFR 130° 10 kt
Visibility: 6 km
09:00Z TEMPO
+6h
LIFR 320° 20 kt
Visibility: 1 km
Ceiling: 10,000 ft
Thunderstorm Rain
14:00Z FM051400
+11h
IFR 160° 5 kt
Visibility: 4 km
Smoke

24-Hour Weather Evolution

Loading weather data...
Data Sources
  • • Current conditions from METAR observations
  • • Historical data from past 24 hours
  • • No forecast or predicted data included
  • • Data updated with each new METAR report
Chart Features
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Note: Future values beyond current TAF validity are estimates based on climatological data and trends. Always verify with current forecasts before flight operations.

Airport Runway Layout

N
PLA
18L ✈️
36R
18R ✈️
36L

Runway Information

Runway Length Width Surface Heading Wind Component
✈️ 18L/36R
Active: 18L
11,024 ft 151 ft CON 181°
6.4 kt 7.7 kt
50° angle
✈️ 18R/36L
Active: 18R
9,000 ft 151 ft ASP 181°
6.4 kt 7.7 kt
50° angle
🟢 Active Runway: Best headwind component for current conditions
⬆️ Headwind: Favorable wind component
↔️ Crosswind: ≤10kt Safe, 11-15kt Caution, >15kt Challenging

Weather Statistics - OPLA

13,702 observations | Sep 2025 - Jul 2026

Flight Rules Distribution

VFR
0.5%
MVFR
32.1%
IFR
55.2%
LIFR
12.2%

Allama Iqbal International Airport is frequently affected by reduced visibility conditions, with VFR weather only 0.5% of the time and IFR/LIFR conditions occurring in 67.4% of observations. Prevailing winds are from the NW averaging 4.4 knots, with gusts recorded up to 35 knots. Calm conditions occur 15.2% of the time. Temperature extremes range from 3°C to 44°C, reflecting significant seasonal variation. The best months for VFR flying are May, June, March.

Wind Analysis

Prevailing Direction: NW (315°)
Average Speed: 4.4 kt
Maximum Recorded: 35 kt
Calm Winds: 15.2%
Direction Distribution:
E
8.1%
N
12.6%
S
6.8%
W
15.3%
NE
8.4%
NW
16.7%
SE
8.8%
SW
8.1%

Temperature Range

Average: 23.6°C
Range: 3°C to 44°C
3°C 44°C

Visibility

Average: 10 SM
Below 3 SM: 0%
Fog Frequency: 4.2%

Best Months for VFR

May June March

Runway Wind Analysis

Runway 18L/36R
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.9 kt
Runway 18R/36L
Favorable wind: 100%
Avg crosswind: 2.9 kt

Statistics computed from 13,702 METAR observations (Sep 2025 - Jul 2026). Data sourced from official aviation weather services. Updated daily.

Allama Iqbal International Airport - Airport Information

Airport Details

ICAO Code: OPLA
IATA Code: LHE
Type: large airport
Status: active
Elevation: 712 ft MSL

Location

City: Lahore
Country: PK
Latitude: 31.521601°
Longitude: 74.403603°
Time Zone: Etc/GMT-5

Runway Information

Runway 18L/36R
Length: 11,024 ft
Width: 151 ft
Surface: CON
ILS: No
Runway 18R/36L
Length: 9,000 ft
Width: 151 ft
Surface: ASP
ILS: No

About Allama Iqbal International Airport

Overview

Allama Iqbal International Airport serves as the primary international gateway for Lahore, Pakistan, handling significant commercial passenger and cargo traffic. Located at an elevation of 712 feet above mean sea level, the airport supports large aircraft operations with its substantial runway infrastructure.

Flying Conditions

Lahore experiences significant seasonal temperature variations which can impact aircraft performance, particularly given the airport's elevation. Pilots should anticipate potential density altitude challenges during summer months, with runway lengths of 11,024 feet (18L/36R) and 9,000 feet (18R/36L) providing sufficient operational margins for most aircraft types.

Notable Features

The airport's geographic positioning at 31.521601N, 74.403603E places it in a relatively flat urban environment with predictable terrain characteristics. Two concrete and asphalt runways provide operational flexibility, allowing wind-aligned approaches and reducing crosswind landing constraints.

Approach Considerations

Runway 18L/36R, being the longer concrete runway at 11,024 feet, represents the primary instrument approach and heavy aircraft landing surface. Pilots should anticipate standard instrument approach procedures and be prepared for potential urban thermal effects during approach, particularly during summer months.

Data Sources & Accuracy: Airport information sourced from OurAirports.com, a collaborative database of worldwide airport data. Weather data from official aviation weather services including NOAA Aviation Weather Center and international METAR/TAF providers. Information is updated regularly but pilots should always verify current conditions and NOTAMs through official channels before flight operations.

Official Data Sources

Weather NOAA Aviation Weather Center • International METAR/TAF Network
Airports OurAirports.com • Public domain airport database
NOTAMs FAA NOTAM System • ICAO NOTAM Distribution
Last updated: Jan 1, 1970 12:00 AM UTC

Disclaimer: Data is provided for informational purposes only. Pilots must verify all information through official sources before flight operations. Weather conditions change rapidly; always obtain a current briefing from approved weather services.