LAHORE:
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, PIA on Wednesday announced operational changes to its Gulf routes, suspending flights to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates for 48 hours.
According to a statement issued by the airline’s spokesperson, PIA will limit its services to the UAE only to Al Ain, an inland oasis city on the eastern border with Oman.
Airline officials said the situation is under constant review and further adjustments are likely if tensions persist. Passengers have been advised to regularly check flight schedules and stay in touch with airlines.
On Wednesday, the conflict in the Gulf continued to cause widespread disruption to Pakistani air travel, with at least 92 inbound and outbound flights canceled at major airports, stranding passengers and forcing airlines to reduce operations.
The cancellations affected key international routes linking Pakistan to the Gulf and beyond, underscoring the immediate consequences of regional instability on global aviation networks.
According to aviation officials, 18 flights to destinations including Kuwait, Doha and Bahrain were canceled at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport. At Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, at least 20 flights to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran and other regional hubs were cancelled.
Islamabad International Airport reported the highest number of disruptions, with 28 flights canceled on routes to Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Muscat, while Peshawar Airport saw 16 flights to Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi cancelled.
The disruption also spread to smaller airports. Multan recorded four cancellations, while Sialkot saw six flights to Dubai, Doha, Riyadh and Bahrain suspended. In contrast, operations at Faisalabad airport were not affected and flights continued as planned.
The disruption in Pakistan reflects a broader shock to global aviation, as rising tensions in the Middle East – a critical transit corridor linking Europe, Asia and Africa – force airlines to reassess route safety and operational viability.
Aviation analysts warn that even limited airspace restrictions can cause cascading disruptions around the world. Airlines are increasingly diverting flights to avoid sensitive areas, adding hours to travel times, increasing fuel consumption and complicating crew and aircraft scheduling.
Major airlines have already adjusted their operations, some suspending routes and others relying on longer, more expensive flight routes. Industry bodies such as the International Air Transport Association and the International Civil Aviation Organization continue to issue risk advisories, prompting airlines to recalibrate their operations in real time.
