Flights from Pakistani airports to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Sharjah, Dubai, Türkiye, Iraq, Iran and others are cancelled.
Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. Photo: Express
LAHORE:
Due to the regional conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, like other countries, air operations from Pakistan to the Middle East have been severely disrupted. In the last three days, more than 500 domestic and international flights have been cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
In addition to passengers, air cargo services have also been suspended, paralyzing the transportation of various goods, including food and other supplies. It is not yet clear when flights will resume.
According to data from the Pakistan Airports Authority, more than 500 flights departing and arriving at various airports in Pakistan have been cancelled. The suspension of air cargo services has also disrupted the delivery of food and other goods, causing difficulties not only for passengers but also for industrialists.
Flights from Pakistani airports, including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad and Multan, operated by PIA, private airlines and foreign companies to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Sharjah, Dubai, Turkey, Iraq, Iran and other countries have been cancelled.
Airport sources stated that some airspaces are closed, which has caused the suspension of operations. Currently, there is no information on when flights will resume. Only flights to and from Saudi Arabia continue.
If the situation persists or worsens, air operations may face further disruption. According to Khawaja Ayub Naseem, senior leader of the Travel Agents Association, fear and uncertainty are also causing many Umrah pilgrims to hesitate to travel.
Read: US-Iran conflict disrupts thousands of flights as travel chaos deepens
Hundreds of pilgrims had booked tickets via Dubai. While ticket refunds are possible, hotel reservations are non-refundable. If the situation continues, travel agencies could face losses of crores of rupees.
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 over the weekend, 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.
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.
Read more: Karachi airport becomes hub for diverted Gulf flights amid escalating Middle East conflict
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.
The United States and Israel launched joint attacks in Iran that killed 201 and wounded more than 700. Iranian state media confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, 86, died while working at his central leadership compound, along with members of his family, including his daughter and grandchildren.
Iran has since attacked multiple US bases in neighboring Gulf states, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq.
