The Pakistan Airports Authority has announced plans to introduce an electric passenger cart service at major airports across the country, with the first phase targeting the busiest terminals in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Multan. The authority has already invited tenders for the provision of electric passenger mobility carts, which will transport travellers between parking areas and concourse halls, as well as provide return trips from terminals to parking zones. The move is part of a broader push to modernise airport operations and bring Pakistan’s major terminals closer to international standards in passenger facilitation.
PAA Director Commercial Rabia Salmi confirmed that passengers will be able to book electric carts through a dedicated mobile application, emphasising that the initiative will particularly benefit elderly passengers, families, and individuals with mobility challenges. The app-based booking system signals an intention to build a trackable, organised service rather than a conventional manually dispatched shuttle, giving the authority visibility into usage patterns and allowing passengers to plan their movement within terminal premises before or upon arrival. For Pakistan’s larger airports, where distances between parking areas, departure gates, and concourse halls can be considerable, an on-demand electric mobility solution of this nature addresses a gap that has long been a source of discomfort for less mobile travellers.
The announcement follows a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on April 22, during which officials discussed improving airport operations and public convenience. Separately, the Pakistan Airports Authority has also approved over Rs5 billion for the installation of modern air traffic control systems at airports in Karachi and Lahore, suggesting that the electric cart initiative is part of a wider infrastructure investment cycle rather than a standalone measure. With tenders already issued and phased rollout beginning with the four highest-traffic airports, the timeline for the first deployments will depend on how quickly the procurement process concludes and the winning vendor can mobilise the required fleet.
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