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Verdict

Islamabad International Airport (ISB) scores higher overall at 7.4/10 versus Faro Airport (FAO) at 7.2/10.

Score comparison

Metric Islamabad International Airport Faro Airport
FlightLogic Score 7.4 7.2
On-Time Performance 7.2 7.0
Passenger Experience 7.3 7.1
Facilities & Comfort 7.7 7.5
Lounge Score 7.5 6.9
City Islamabad Faro
Country Pakistan Portugal
Terminals 1 integrated terminal (New Islamabad Airport) 1 terminal
Annual passengers 8M+ 9M+

Operational comparison

Transport links, lounge access, connection times, and UK261 eligibility — verify locally before travel.

Policy ISB — Islamabad FAO — Faro
Rail / public transport
To city centre
Lounge day pass
Min. connection time
Primary hub carriers

Detailed profiles

Islamabad, Pakistan · ISB · #1 in this comparison

Islamabad International Airport

1 integrated terminal (New Islamabad Airport) · 8M+ passengers/year

7.4 / 10

How good is Islamabad International Airport?

Islamabad International Airport (ISB) scores 7.4/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (7.2), passenger experience (7.3), and facilities (7.7). Lounge quality rates 7.5/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Islamabad ISB scores 7.4/10 — Pakistan capital gateway. PIA from MAN/BHX; Gulf hub connections via QR/EK. See /guides/uk-pakistan-flights-guide and /guides/islamabad-airport-lounge-guide.

FlightLogic Score 7.4 Very Good
On-time 7.2 Departure reliability
Experience 7.3 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 7.7 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 7.5 Lounge quality
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Modelled on industry airport indices — on-time data, facilities ratings, and editorial experience signals combined into a single FlightLogic score.

On-Time Performance
7.2
Passenger Experience
7.3
Facilities & Comfort
7.7
Lounge score 7.5/10

Highlights

  • Primary UK–Pakistan gateway for Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and northern Punjab
  • PIA direct MAN–ISB and BHX–ISB; Gulf carriers via DXB/DOH most competitive on price
  • New integrated terminal (2018) — Marhaba and Priority Pass lounges
  • e-Visa or visa on arrival for UK passport holders — apply online before travel

Overview

Pakistan's capital gateway — PIA direct from Manchester and Birmingham plus one-stop via Dubai, Doha, and Istanbul for UK–Punjab and KPK VFR traffic.

UK VFR routing

Compare direct PIA vs one-stop Qatar/Emirates — Gulf carriers often cheaper in business with superior lounge product.

Allow 60+ min immigration at peak UK arrival banks (Jun–Aug, Dec–Jan).

Faro, Portugal · FAO · #2 in this comparison

Faro Airport

1 terminal · 9M+ passengers/year

7.2 / 10

How good is Faro Airport?

Faro Airport (FAO) scores 7.2/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (7.0), passenger experience (7.1), and facilities (7.5). Lounge quality rates 6.9/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Faro FAO scores 7.2/10 — Algarve leisure gateway. Compare /airports/lisbon for city breaks. See /guides/best-airlines-uk-portugal-greece and /guides/faro-airport-lounge-guide.

FlightLogic Score 7.2 Very Good
On-time 7.0 Departure reliability
Experience 7.1 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 7.5 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 6.9 Lounge quality
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Modelled on industry airport indices — on-time data, facilities ratings, and editorial experience signals combined into a single FlightLogic score.

On-Time Performance
7.0
Passenger Experience
7.1
Facilities & Comfort
7.5
Lounge score 6.9/10

Highlights

  • Primary UK gateway to Algarve resorts — Albufeira, Lagos, Vilamoura within 45–90 min drive
  • Jet2 and TUI package traffic dominates alongside Ryanair and easyJet
  • Compact single terminal — straightforward navigation; summer queues at security
  • UK261 on UK-return flights

Overview

Algarve gateway — Jet2, TUI, easyJet, Ryanair, and BA leisure schedules from across the UK for Portugal's southern coast.

Algarve access

Pre-book transfers — public transport to western Algarve resorts is limited. Taxi and Uber available landside.

Peak UK bank holiday weeks (Easter, half-term) see 90+ min security queues — arrive early.

More comparisons

Compare Islamabad International Airport (ISB) against 59 other airports
Compare Faro Airport (FAO) against 59 other airports

FAQ

Which is better, Islamabad International Airport or Faro Airport?

Islamabad International Airport (ISB) scores higher overall at 7.4/10 versus Faro Airport (FAO) at 7.2/10.

Which has better lounges, ISB or FAO?

Islamabad International Airport (ISB) scores higher for lounges at 7.5/10, versus Faro Airport at 6.9/10.

Which airport is more on-time, ISB or FAO?

Islamabad International Airport (ISB) has stronger on-time performance at 7.2/10 versus Faro Airport (FAO) at 7.0/10.