Birmingham started as a medieval market town, and came into its own during the 18th century, when it was known as the ‘first manufacturing town in the world’. Today, it stands as an industrial powerhouse that has been of international importance since the start of the Industrial Revolution. 

Bold, bright and beautiful, Birmingham sits in the very heart of the English countryside, a juxtaposition of urban vitality and energy surrounded by some of England’s most spectacular scenery. It’s friendly, it’s vibrant, and it’s a shopping and entertainment paradise that’s attracting some big-name retail outlets and award-winning restaurants. Explore the delights of the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, or be inspired at Thinktank at the Birmingham Science Museum.

Take a stroll around the newly revived Bullring, filled with high-end retail outlets. Or step back in time with a walk through the heritage streets of the city’s famous Jewellery Quarter, where artisans create fabulous gold and silver jewellery. The ‘Workshop of the World’ is just as busy as ever, and is a thriving multi-cultural metropolis.

Fly to Birmingham with Qatar Airways and you’ll discover a characterful city where the welcome is warm.

Benazir Bhutto International Airport, also known as Islamabad International Airport, serves Pakistan’s capital and its twin city of Rawalpindi in the Punjab. It’s a key air transport hub for this region of Asia, and is particularly important for business travellers working or visiting Islamabad. 

Recent upgrades have seen the airport expand to cope with growing demand, and travellers flying from Islamabad with Qatar Airways will discover an extremely efficient, modern airport where the passenger experience is paramount. 

Transportation and parking

Drivers can take the  Kashmir Highway and then Islamabad Highway southbound. This leads straight on to the Airport link road, which is clearly signposted. There are some buses, but they do tend to be very crowded, which is not ideal for passengers with young children or large amounts of luggage. 

The best option is to book a taxi to the airport. Metro Radio Cab, Yellow Cab and Cab Radio Services all run regularly between the airport and the city centre, and the journey time (depending on traffic conditions) takes approximately 30 minutes.

The new terminal development has expanded the parking facilities at the airport, providing capacity for up to 2,000 vehicles. Both short and long-term parking options are available.

Arriving at the airport

Passengers flying from Islamabad with Qatar Airways depart from the main terminal’s Departures area. With 15 gates and 90 check-in counters, the process is relatively smooth. Buses take passengers to the aircraft, and the airport can now accommodate the larger Airbus 380.

Be aware, though, that security at Islamabad International Airport is exceptionally tight, so allow at least two hours for check-in and customs clearance before your flight is due to board.

Facilities and amenities

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, and a small business centre in the main building provides photocopying and faxing services. The CIP lounge, which is open to all First and Business Class customers, also provides some business facilities and work spaces. A large food court provides everything from fast food and snacks to more substantial meals, including authentic local cuisine and international dishes. 

A selection of retailers and Duty Free shops sell luxury goods, travel essentials, books and magazines, and there are also ATMs and banking facilities throughout the airport. 

Birmingham started as a medieval market town, and came into its own during the 18th century, when it was known as the ‘first manufacturing town in the world’. Today, it stands as an industrial powerhouse that has been of international importance since the start of the Industrial Revolution. 

The United Kingdom’s second largest city lies at the very heart of the British countryside, with beautiful water canals and a thriving jewellery quarter, it’s a juxtaposition of exceptional engineering prowess surrounded by lush, green countryside. Birmingham is also a centre of culture, tourism and technology, and is the country’s second-most important financial centre after London. 

Fly to Birmingham with Qatar Airways and you’ll discover a richly historic city with a very distinctive personality, a fantastic retail sector, and a wonderfully warm welcome.

Tourist attractions

Architecturally, Birmingham has really expanded the boundaries of commercial and retail development, with iconic buildings such as the Selfridges building in the city’s redeveloped Bullring Centre, and the beautifully restored Aston Hall, which is a mansion that dates back to the early 17th century. The hall still carries the pockmarks of musket shot from the English Civil War, and its grandeur has inspired noted authors such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes.

Art and sculpture have always played an important part in the story of Birmingham, and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts at the University of Birmingham is one of its hidden gems.

While most art lovers head to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, make sure that the Barber Institute is on your itinerary, as it houses a remarkable collection of pre-Raphaelite paintings. 

Birmingham has a sweet aspect to it too, and is the home of the Cadbury chocolate empire. Cadbury World gives those with a sweet tooth the chance to indulge their passion for chocolate, and learn about the development of the confectionary industry over the centuries.

Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter is famous the world over, and the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter includes a workshop in pristine condition from the last century, and detailed exhibitions of some of the Quarter’s finer work.

If you want to get out and about then Birmingham has plenty of parks and gardens, many of which were developed in the Victorian period. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses are particularly fine, especially during the spring.