How Early You Should Report at the Airport in Pakistan

Almost on every flight, passengers are unable to board the aircraft due to late reporting at the airline’s check in counters. To avoid any Late Report or denied boarding from the airline, you have to be aware of the reporting time at the airport, especially in Pakistan. Airline closes its check-in counters 1 hour before an international flight and 45 minutes before on domestic flight. For precise information regarding the airline, kindly visit their policy on the ticket or their website. One thing to keep in mind is that most of the Air Passenger Rights are applicable when you have a boarding card in your hand.

For those who don’t have time to read all the useful information, here is a quick cheat Sheet:

Flight Type	Recommended Arrival Time
Domestic Flights	2–2.5 hours before departure
International Flights	4–4.5 hours before departure

1. Domestic Flight

The domestic counters start 2 hours before the flight. One thing that most of the passengers are not aware of is that the airline closes check-in counters 45-60 minutes before the departure time. Usually, airlines close the domestic counters 30-20 minutes before departure time, but if the flight is overbooked, then they close the flight 45-60 minutes before departure time.

Journey Through Domestic Terminal

For the domestic flights, you have to go through an initial security check of the ASF(Airport Security Force), which most of the time is not time-consuming, and you will quickly pass through before reaching the check-in counters of the airlines. For initial security, this can take 5-30 minutes, depending on the city and the time of day. As mostly, domestic flights are mostly during the day, those who have early morning or late night flights can quickly pass the security check apart from other passengers who have daytime flights.

After the security check, you are processed toward the airline check-in counters, where airline staff issue the boarding card. Depending upon the airline flight load, PAA assigns airlines check-in counters. Usually, four counters are opened for the domestic flight. The airline staff also book and tag your baggage, which you receive at your destination airport. After issuing the boarding card, you are advised to head toward your boarding gate, which is mentioned on your boarding card.

At last, the final security check in which your hand carry is properly scanned to make sure that passengers don’t have any sharp items that can cause harm to passengers or the aircraft. After this security check, if you have time, you can enjoy a meal and drinks at the shop; otherwise, head straight toward your boarding gate so that you don’t miss your flight. Around 30 minutes before departure time, aircraft boarding is announced, and 5-10 minutes before aircraft doors are closed.

2. International Flight

For the International Flight, the airlines opened their counter 4 hours before the flight’s departure. You should at least report 3-4 hours before your flight, as most airlines close check-in counters 90 minutes before departure. But mostly, airlines close check-in 1 hour before departure time.

Initial Security Checks

On reaching the airport terminal building at the international departure level, you have to first go through the gate where your ticket date, time, and name are confirmed before you enter the airport terminal building. Entering the terminal building, you will have to go through the first security search that is done by the ASF staff. Your baggage and body will be properly scanned, and if you are carrying any customs-related items, your baggage will be searched by customs officers.

Customs and Duty Checks

Customs staff are not present just at the arrival lounge but also at the departure, especially in the international area. Always have a receipt If you’re carrying expensive items like DSLRs or laptops, etc. Customs staff may ask you about

• Currency declarations if you’re carrying a large sum
• Check for unauthorized exports like cultural antiques, narcotics, or even too much branded perfume
• Undeclared electronics or other taxable items

While most travelers clear customs quickly, a random check can easily delay you by 20–30 minutes.

Anti-Narcotics Check

The staff of After, then the staff of Anti-Narcotic, will conduct your short interview.

Airline Check-in Counters

Then you will proceed toward your respective airline check-in counter, where your visa, ticket, and passport are checked by airline staff before issuing the boarding card.

Visa and Immigration Documentation

You will then proceed toward the Passport Control area, from where you clear your immigration, which is performed by the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency). FIA is the final decider whether you board the aircraft or get offloaded. They will check your visa Documentation that is necessary for international travel:

• A valid passport
• A visa (if applicable)
• Return ticket
• Supporting documents (hotel booking, vaccination certificates, etc.)

Immigration officers do ask questions. If you’re traveling on a visit visa, they may want to know where you’re staying, how long you’ll be gone, or how much cash you’re carrying. If your answers don’t satisfy them, it could cause delays—or worse, denial to the board.

Also, be aware of the following:

• Spelling discrepancies in your name across documents.
• Overstayed visas from previous trips can lead to long questioning sessions.
• Transit visas may be required even if you’re not exiting the airport in a third country.

Final Security Check

At last, the final security check by the ASF for your hand carry and body search. After that, you can enjoy a meal and drinks at different shops at lounges, otherwise head straight toward your boarding gate so that you don’t miss your flight.

Boarding Gate

At the boarding gate, airline staff will be there who will check your boarding card and then move you toward the aircraft either by bus or by passenger boarding bridge.

Additional Information

Difference Between Late Report and Denied Boarding

Late Report: When passengers report at the airline check-in counter after the counter closes, it is known as a Late Report. Passengers have to pay some extra charges if they want to change their tickets to the next available flight.

Denied Boarding: Let’s suppose every passenger reported at the airline counters on time, and few are still left, and all the seats are occupied In this case airline denied that passenger and stamped DNB on your ticket. DNB tickets are transferred to the next available flight without any charges.