Hajj flights disrupted amid airspace closure

ISLAMABAD: Flight operations across Pakistan remain severely disrupted amid heightened tensions with India, with Hajj pilgrims among the worst affected.

The closure of Pakistan’s airspace for all types of flights until 12 noon tomorrow has grounded hundreds of flights, causing major delays and cancellations.

According to airport officials, over 450 domestic and international flights have been disrupted in the past 48 hours, including routes to Dubai, Doha, Sharjah, Kuala Lumpur, Madina, Riyadh, Turkey, Canada, Europe, and Abu Dhabi.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs reported that the Hajj flight schedule was badly hit, with 13 flights affected between May 7 and May 9. These included 4 cancellations and 9 delays, impacting the travel plans of 3,080 pilgrims.

Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, which handles over 50 flights daily, saw 80 per cent of its operations suspended. Pilgrims in ihram were seen waiting for hours at airports, uncertain about their departures.

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The Saudi Airlines canceled two Hajj flights each from Islamabad and Lahore, while delays hit three flights from Lahore, two from Islamabad and Quetta each, and one each from Multan and Karachi.

To manage the crisis, a special PIA flight transported 345 stranded pilgrims from Islamabad. Another 540 pilgrims are expected to fly out from Islamabad and Lahore through additional special flights.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has launched a helpline (051-9216980) to assist pilgrims with flight updates and guidance amid the uncertainty.

While some air routes remain open from major hubs like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Sialkot, authorities say full restoration of services depends on the regional security situation.

The disruption also affects more than 1,000 international flights that usually pass through Pakistan’s airspace, forcing rerouting and delays across the region.