LAHORE:
Due to the growing tensions between Pakistan and India after the incident of Pahalgam, dozens of national and international flights from Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi and other airports were canceled on Thursday, while some flights deviated to Karachi, fine and Islamabad.
The flights that arrived from Doha, Türkiye, Canada and other countries were also retained or diverted. After the drone attack of India, the air traffic system in Pakistan has been severely interrupted.
Flights that transport Hajj pilgrims from Lahore also experienced significant delays of several hours. The Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) opened intermittently and closed the Pakistani airspace throughout the day.
According to a new warning for aviators (Notam), certain parts of Lahore’s airspace will remain closed until 6 in the morning today (Friday), while the rest of the flight operations are expected to continue according to the routine. Karachi airport operations, however, have been restricted until midnight.
Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport generally handles 48 to 55 incoming and outgoing flights daily, both national and international. The greatest inconvenience has been faced by the pilgrims of the Hajj and international travelers, particularly due to the closure of airspace.
Last night, the flights to Dubai, Sharjah, Doha, Madinah and Riad were suddenly based.
According to the reports, these cancellations occurred after the activity of the Indian drones in the areas of Lahore Walton and DHA. While the flights finally started after delays, incoming flights from Doha, Madinah, Istanbul, Malaysia and Singapore were diverted to Islamabad, Karachi and fine.
The PAA has advised passengers to consult with the airline’s consultation desks before going to the airport. Some passengers, including Junaid Aslam Riaz, expressed their frustration, stating that they had received boarding passes and were sitting on the plane when the cancellations were announced, causing anguish.
