In a significant disruption to air travel, a total of 97 flights departing from Pakistan to various destinations in the Middle East were cancelled today as regional tensions continue to escalate. This widespread cancellation has affected major airports across the country, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Sialkot, Multan, and Faisalabad, causing considerable inconvenience for travelers and airlines alike.
At Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, aviation authorities reported the cancellation of approximately 25 flights bound for key Middle Eastern hubs such as Doha, Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain. Despite these cancellations, around 13 flights from Karachi are still scheduled to operate, offering limited connectivity amid the turmoil. Meanwhile, Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport saw 22 flights to destinations including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, and Sharjah being called off, with only seven flights expected to take off as planned.
Similarly, Islamabad’s Benazir Bhutto International Airport experienced a significant number of cancellations, with 26 flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Sharjah being grounded. However, 16 flights from the capital remain operational, providing some relief to passengers. In the northern city of Peshawar, 10 flights to Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah were also cancelled, while six flights continue to operate. This pattern of cancellations extends to smaller airports as well, with Sialkot seeing five flights to Doha, Dubai, and Sharjah cancelled, though four flights are still running.
Other regional airports such as Multan and Faisalabad have not been spared either. Multan witnessed the cancellation of six flights destined for Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Dammam, while Faisalabad saw three flights to Dubai and Sharjah cancelled. Despite these disruptions, a handful of flights from these cities remain in service, attempting to maintain some level of connectivity amid the ongoing crisis.
Officials have highlighted that this surge in flight cancellations is part of a broader trend linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Over the past eight days alone, approximately 1,300 flights between Pakistan and Middle Eastern countries have been cancelled, reflecting the growing instability in the region. On a wider scale, the Middle East has witnessed a staggering 27,600 flight cancellations in the last week, underscoring the severe impact of the conflict on international air travel and commerce.
In a related development, Doha’s Hamad International Airport has announced a partial resumption of flight operations starting today, following a week-long suspension. This move signals a tentative step towards normalizing air traffic in one of the region’s busiest hubs, although the situation remains fluid and subject to change depending on the evolving security landscape.
As the situation continues to unfold, travelers are advised to stay updated on flight schedules and consult their airlines for the latest information. The ongoing regional tensions not only disrupt travel plans but also pose broader challenges for diplomatic and economic relations between Pakistan and the Middle East, highlighting the interconnected nature of geopolitical stability and international connectivity.
