Pakistan flight cancellations: Middle East operations suspended at Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad

Air travel between Pakistan and the Middle East faced significant disruption on Wednesday as multiple airlines suspended operations to and from several Gulf destinations, affecting hundreds of passengers at major airports across the country.

According to official sources at Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority, a total of 84 international flights operating between Pakistani cities and key Middle Eastern hubs were either cancelled or temporarily suspended. The decision, implemented by carriers on both sides, comes amid ongoing regional tensions affecting airspace and airport operations in the Gulf.

Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport recorded the highest number of cancellations, with 20 flights to and from various destinations in the Middle East taken off the schedule. In the federal capital, Islamabad International Airport saw 18 flights cancelled, primarily affecting routes to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Sharjah.

Similarly, Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore reported the suspension of 18 flights operating to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait, and Bahrain. In Peshawar, Bacha Khan International Airport experienced 16 cancellations on routes serving Dubai, Sharjah, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.

Smaller airports were also impacted. Multan International Airport saw four flights to and from Dubai and Sharjah cancelled, though officials noted an improvement in operations compared to previous days. Sialkot International Airport reported eight cancellations on Middle Eastern routes, primarily affecting Dubai and Sharjah.

In a positive development, flight operations at Faisalabad International Airport have returned to normal, with services to Dubai and Sharjah resuming regular schedules.

Authorities in Qatar, the UAE, and Bahrain have issued conditional approvals for flight operations, permitting travel under specific guidelines as the situation develops. Passengers have been advised to contact their respective airlines for updated information before traveling to the airport.

The disruption marks one of the most widespread interruptions to Pakistan-Middle East air travel in recent months, raising concerns among business travelers and the significant Pakistani expatriate community residing in Gulf nations.