The ongoing war in the Middle East has triggered a severe aviation crisis. Over the past five days, airlines have grounded more than 20,000 flights across eight countries. Today, March 5, 2026, Pakistan cancelled 145 flights heading to Middle Eastern destinations for the sixth consecutive day. The deteriorating security situation and restricted Gulf air routes continue to rattle regional airspace.
Massive Flight Cancellations Across Pakistan
The widening regional conflict has severely impacted Pakistan’s aviation sector. Consequently, aviation authorities halted flights from major airports across the country. Islamabad and Karachi took the heaviest hit, cancelling 35 flights each.
Furthermore, other cities experienced significant disruptions. Lahore cancelled 29 flights bound for the Middle East. Meanwhile, Peshawar called off 14 flights, Multan cancelled 12, and Sialkot grounded 12. Faisalabad and Quetta also reported six and two cancellations, respectively.
Dubai’s Super-Rich Flee the Middle East War
As the crisis deepens, Dubai’s super-rich residents are fleeing the glittering Gulf city. Fearing an indefinite war, wealthy individuals are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to escape. Commercial flight operations out of UAE airports remain severely limited. Therefore, many residents are arranging their own private departures.
Air Charter Service, a global brokerage firm, reports a sharp increase in demand for evacuation flights. However, prices for private jet charters have skyrocketed. Many aircraft currently sit grounded at closed airports. Additionally, operators remain highly reluctant to fly into active conflict zones due to severe security concerns.
Oman Emerges as the Primary Escape Corridor
To escape the UAE, travelers are turning to Oman as their primary evacuation route. Families must undertake a grueling six-hour drive across the desert from Dubai to reach Muscat. This sudden surge in land travel has caused heavy congestion at the UAE-Oman border. Travelers now face wait times of three to four hours before crossing.
Once in Muscat, the wealthy are chartering flights to safe havens. For instance, one family paid roughly $200,000 for a private flight from Muscat to Geneva to wait out the conflict.
Meanwhile, foreign governments have stepped in to assist their citizens. The United Kingdom and Germany have already started sending aircraft to Oman to conduct official evacuations.
