The closure of airspace in several Middle Eastern countries has led to the cancellation of 184 Pakistan-bound flights, causing disruptions for passengers traveling to the region.
Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Syria remains fully closed. In addition, the airspace of the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Jordan has been continuously restricted since yesterday, preventing flights from operating normally.
Flight cancellations include 42 departures from Karachi to Dubai, Sharjah, Doha, Najaf, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Bahrain, and Tehran. Lahore has seen 40 flight cancellations to Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Tehran, Dubai, Doha, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Bahrain. Islamabad has had 36 flights canceled to Dubai, Doha, Dammam, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Bahrain, and Sharjah.
Other affected routes include 18 foreign flights from Peshawar, 22 from Multan, 12 from Faisalabad, 12 from Sialkot, and both flights from Quetta to Dubai today. Major airports in the Emirates, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, remain closed.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed that Pakistani airspace is fully open and safe for flights. Saudi Arabian airspace has also reopened, and flight operations at airports in the kingdom are operating normally. Turkey’s flights have resumed as well, with Turkish Airlines taking longer routes to avoid restricted areas.
Passengers are advised to check with airlines for updated schedules before traveling to Middle Eastern destinations.
