Pakistan Suspends Flights to Middle East for Second Consecutive Day
Thousands Stranded as Regional Tensions Force Airspace Closures
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan suspended all flights to Middle Eastern countries on March 1, 2026, marking the second consecutive day of cancellations amid escalating regional tensions. A total of 58 flights were canceled: Lahore 13, Islamabad 23, Karachi 18, and Faisalabad 4.
The suspension follows a series of recent attacks on Iran, prompting UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait to close their airspace. Airlines are working to reschedule passengers, though disruptions are expected to continue until the situation stabilizes.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) confirmed that flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait, and Bahrain remain suspended, while some Saudi Arabia-bound flights are rerouted to avoid conflict zones. Passengers have been advised to maintain close contact with their airlines for alternative arrangements.
The cancellations are part of a broader regional travel disruption affecting international carriers and major Gulf hubs, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, with thousands of travelers facing delays, diversions, or extended layovers.
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