Rising tensions in the Middle East are disrupting regional air travel, with suspensions, cancellations and route diversions.
Escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupted regional air travel on Saturday, leading to suspensions, cancellations and rerouting of flights at Pakistani airports.
While Pakistani airspace remains fully available and safe, airlines have adjusted their operations in response to the evolving security situation and restrictions in neighboring airspace.
Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport witnessed extraordinary activity, with dozens of foreign airline flights diverted to Karachi, creating scenes reminiscent of the 1990 Gulf crisis.
According to aviation sources, a large number of foreign airlines were diverted to Karachi as regional airspace restrictions and safety concerns forced precautionary diversions. Several aircraft remained temporarily parked during the day, while many others landed to refuel.
The situation echoed that of 1990, when after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, dozens of passenger planes landed in Karachi under similar circumstances. By this time, both the airport’s old terminal and the newly built Jinnah Terminal had been used to accommodate diverted aircraft.
In view of the extraordinary influx, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Saturday issued a formal NOTAM highlighting the limited aircraft parking space at the airport and directing airlines and cabin crew to ensure prior coordination before operating to Karachi.
A PAA spokesperson said a total of 27 flights were managed, including diversions, return flights, technical landings and diverted operations.
Karachi airport alone managed 13 diversions, including technical stops to refuel. Additionally, four diversions were recorded in the Lahore flight information region, while two return diversions were managed at Islamabad airport. Three flights returned to their original or alternative destinations, while five diverted flights transited Karachi airspace without landing and were provided with alternative routes.
The sudden increase in traffic created operational challenges due to limited parking space, prompting airport authorities to warn airlines about possible delays. Officials confirmed the situation was being closely monitored and managed.
