Flights from Pakistani airports to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Sharjah, Dubai, Turkey, Iraq, Iran and others canceled
Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. Photo: Express
LAHORE:
Due to the regional conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, along with other countries, Pakistan’s air operations in the Middle East have been severely disrupted. Over the past three days, more than 500 domestic and international flights have been canceled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
Besides passengers, air cargo services were also suspended, disrupting the transportation of various goods including food and other supplies. It is still unclear when flights will resume.
According to data from the Airports Authority of Pakistan, more than 500 flights to and from various airports in Pakistan have been canceled. 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 manufacturers.
Flights from Pakistani airports including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad and Multan operated by PIA, private airlines and foreign carriers to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Sharjah, Dubai, Turkey, Iraq, Iran and other countries have been cancelled.
Airport sources said some airspaces were closed, leading to 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, flight operations could face further disruptions. According to Khawaja Ayub Naseem, a senior officer of the Association of Travel Agents, fear and uncertainty are also making many Umrah pilgrims hesitant to travel.
Read: US-Iran conflict disrupts thousands of flights as travel chaos worsens
Hundreds of pilgrims had booked their tickets through Dubai. Although ticket refunds are possible, hotel reservations are non-refundable. If the situation continues, travel agents could face losses amounting to millions of rupees.
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 over the weekend, 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.
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.
Learn more: Karachi airport becomes hub for diverted Gulf flights amid escalating Middle East conflict
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.
The United States and Israel launched joint strikes in Iran that left 201 people dead and more than 700 injured. Iranian state media has confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, 86, died while working at his central leadership complex, alongside members of his family, including his daughter and grandchildren.
Since then, Iran has targeted several US bases in neighboring Gulf states, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq.
