LAHORE:
The ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States has severely disrupted global air travel, and aviation sources say the sudden escalation has dealt a blow to the aviation industry and forced the cancellation of tens of thousands of flights around the world.
According to aviation officials, more than 24,000 flights operated by hundreds of airlines around the world, including Pakistan, have been canceled over the past six days, leaving millions of passengers stranded at airports and forcing airlines to repeatedly revise their schedules.
Industry sources said the crisis has already caused billions of rupees in losses to the aviation sector, particularly through landing and take-off charges as well as other airport-related taxes.
Airport authorities said flight disruptions continued on Tuesday, with 144 flights canceled from airports across Pakistan, including Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport. Despite widespread cancellations, four flights left Lahore for Saudi Arabia, airport sources confirmed.
Officials also noted a decline in the number of Umrah pilgrims traveling from Pakistan following the outbreak of hostilities between Iran and the United States, as uncertainty over regional airspace and flight schedules discourages travel.
The conflict has also caused several international planes to be stranded at Pakistani airports after landing but unable to take off due to operational disruptions.
Airport sources said three planes belonging to different countries remained parked at various airports in Pakistan, including planes operated by Qatar Airways, Iran Air and Gulf Air.
According to officials, the Qatar Airways plane remained at Karachi airport, while an Iranian plane was parked at Lahore airport and a Gulf Air plane remained at Islamabad airport after landing.
Passengers on these flights were ultimately transported to their destinations through alternative flight arrangements.
