Hundreds of passengers affected as airlines suspend 84 flights amid regional tensions
Air travel between Pakistan and the Middle East faced severe disruption on Wednesday, as multiple airlines suspended operations from Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, impacting hundreds of travelers.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), a total of 84 international flights connecting Pakistan with Gulf destinations were either cancelled or temporarily suspended due to ongoing regional tensions affecting airspace.
Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport recorded the highest cancellations with 20 flights removed, followed by Islamabad International Airport with 18 cancellations, mainly affecting routes to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Sharjah. Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport also reported 18 suspended flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Peshawar’s Bacha Khan International Airport faced 16 cancellations.
Smaller airports like Multan and Sialkot experienced 4 and 8 cancellations respectively, while Faisalabad International Airport resumed normal operations. Authorities in Qatar, UAE, and Bahrain have issued conditional approvals for flights under specific guidelines. Passengers are advised to check with airlines before traveling.
The widespread disruption marks one of the most significant interruptions in recent months, affecting business travelers and Pakistan’s expatriate community in the Gulf.
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