Escalating tensions in the Middle East are disrupting regional air travel, with suspensions, cancellations and diversions.
KARACHI:
Escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupted regional air travel on Saturday, leading to flight suspensions, cancellations and diversions at Pakistani airports.
Although Pakistan’s airspace remains fully available and secure, airlines have adjusted their operations in response to the evolving security situation and restrictions in neighboring airspace.
Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport saw extraordinary activity, with dozens of foreign airline flights diverted to Karachi, creating scenes reminiscent of the 1990 Gulf crisis.
According to airline sources, a large number of foreign airlines have been rerouted to Karachi as regional airspace restrictions and security concerns have forced precautionary diversions. Several planes were temporarily parked during the day, while many others landed to refuel.
The situation echoes that of 1990, when following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, dozens of airliners landed in Karachi in similar circumstances. At that time, the old airport terminal and the new Jinnah terminal were used to accommodate diverted planes.
In view of this extraordinary influx, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Saturday issued an official NOTAM highlighting the limited aircraft parking space at the airport and directing airlines and cockpit crew to ensure prior coordination before operating in Karachi.
A PAA spokesperson said a total of 27 flights had been handled, including diversions, return flights, technical landings and diverted operations.
Karachi Airport alone handled 13 diversions, including technical refueling stops. Additionally, four diversions were recorded at the Lahore Flight Information Region, while two return diversions were handled at Islamabad Airport. Three flights returned to their original destination or an alternative destination, while five diverted flights transited through Karachi airspace without landing and were offered alternative routes.
The sudden increase in traffic has created operational problems due to limited parking spaces, prompting airport authorities to warn airlines of possible delays. Authorities confirmed that the situation was being closely monitored and managed.
