One letter says the country has seen an increase in air traffic due to the US-Iran war, with diverted flights using its main air corridor.
An Emirates plane at Dubai International Airport, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 8, 2026. Photo taken by phone PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers Associations (IFATCA) on Monday expressed its deep appreciation for the professionalism and dedication of Pakistan’s air traffic controllers, recognizing their crucial role in maintaining safe and efficient operations during recent disruptions in regional airspace.
In a letter to Pakistan’s air traffic control authorities, Cheryl Chen, IFATCA’s executive vice president for the Asia-Pacific region, praised “the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by Pakistan’s air traffic controllers in recent weeks.”
The letter comes a day after the United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement to end hostilities despite marathon negotiations that lasted about 21 hours. The talks, aimed at ending a conflict that has killed thousands and sent global oil prices soaring over the past six weeks, ended in an impasse mutually blamed on both sides.
The letter highlighted that amid evolving geopolitical developments affecting regional airspace, Pakistan’s position as a key air corridor between Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe has led to a significant increase in air traffic, including flights diverted from neighboring airspaces.
Despite these pressures, the organization noted that Pakistani air traffic controllers have managed to manage “significant volumes of non-scheduled traffic”, with traffic levels increasing significantly in some sectors, while maintaining “the highest standards of safety and efficiency”.
IFATCA further recognized that these operations were being conducted under sustained pressure, potentially involving extended duty hours and limited leave, describing it as reflecting a “strong commitment to operational continuity and global aviation security”.
In his message, Chen also expressed formal appreciation for the support provided by the Pakistani ministry, stating that IFATCA “respectfully recognizes the vital contribution of Pakistan’s air traffic control personnel” and expressed gratitude for the continued institutional support that enabled their performance.
The letter concluded with assurances of “the highest consideration,” highlighting international recognition of Pakistan’s air traffic management efforts during a period of heightened regional aviation challenges.
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The United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on February 28, killing thousands of people in Iran, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and injuring tens of thousands, including civilian areas including residential buildings and religious sites.
The conflict has also expanded geographically. Iran responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. It also restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
Global air travel was severely disrupted as airstrikes kept major Middle East airports closed, including Dubai, the world’s busiest international hub, in one of the most violent air strikes in recent years.
Major transit airports, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and Doha in Qatar, were closed or severely restricted as much of the region’s airspace remained closed after U.S. and Israeli strikes killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
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Dubai International Airport was damaged in the Iranian attacks, while airports in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait were also hit.
Thousands of flights have been affected across the Middle East, according to data from flight tracking platform FlightAware. The airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar remained virtually empty, Flightradar24 maps showed in March.
Airport closures have had repercussions far beyond the Middle East. Dubai and its neighbor Doha sit at the crossroads of east-west air travel, channeling long-haul traffic between Europe and Asia through networks of tightly scheduled connecting flights. With these hubs inactive, planes and crews were left stranded, disrupting airline schedules around the world.
Airlines in Europe, Asia and the Middle East have canceled or rerouted flights to avoid closing or restricting airspace, lengthening trips and increasing fuel costs. The disruptions were intensified by the loss of Iranian and Iraqi flyover routes, which had become more important since the war between Russia and Ukraine forced airlines to avoid both countries’ airspace.
