UAE resumes flights to Pakistan, operations to India still disrupted  

DUBAI: UAE airlines have resumed flight operations to Pakistan, following a ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India after four days of heightened cross-border tensions, Gulf News reported. However flight operations to India remains disrupted till the filing of this report.

Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia announced a partial resumption of services to Pakistan on Sunday, May 11, with operations continuing to depend on the security situation in the region.

The Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) confirmed the restoration of national airspace, saying all airports across the country are now open for regular flight operations. A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) was also issued to reflect the changes.

Passengers have been advised to stay in contact with their airlines for the latest schedules.

Officials, however, warned that a full return to normalcy could take time as some aircraft and ground handling equipment had been moved to safer areas during the hostilities.

Pakistan’s armed forces fulfilled promise to nation: DG ISPR

In the UAE, airports have also begun handling Pakistan-bound flights again. Dubai International Airport resumed services to Karachi, Lahore, Sialkot, Peshawar, and Islamabad, with the first flight to Islamabad scheduled for May 12, and services to Peshawar starting May 13.

From Abu Dhabi, flights to Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore are now operational, though some schedules have changed. Sharjah Airport has also restarted flights to Pakistan, and its national airline continues normal operations.

The UAE’s major carriers confirmed a phased return of services to key Pakistani cities beginning May 11.

FLIGHTS TO INDIA STILL HIT BY DISRUPTIONS

Meanwhile, flights between India and the UAE remain severely affected. Till the filing of this report, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had closed 32 airports in northern and western India to all civil flights.

The restriction, in place from May 9 until 5:29 am IST on May 15, has been officially attributed to operational reasons.

Airports in Amritsar, Srinagar, Jammu, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Bhuj, Leh, and others across Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir are among those affected.

No further updates have been issued by the AAI, but media reports suggest that many flights are being diverted to Delhi and Mumbai, causing widespread delays and inconvenience for passengers.