A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight narrowly escaped a missile attack this morning. The incident occurred near the naval headquarters adjacent to Fujairah Airport.
Flight PK-175 arrived from Islamabad and landed safely at 6:00 AM today, March 17, 2026. The aircraft carried 123 passengers and 8 crew members. Shortly after landing, a missile attack targeted the nearby naval base. Smoke quickly enveloped the surrounding area. Consequently, intense panic spread among the passengers and crew.
Another flight, PK-173, had also arrived from Islamabad. Fortunately, airport authorities kept the situation under control. Both aircraft safely returned to Lahore and Islamabad without any injuries. However, the return flights experienced minor delays.
PIA Adjusts Regional Flight Operations
Meanwhile, PIA is rapidly adapting to the evolving security situation across the Middle East. The airline secured approval to operate two daily flights to the United Arab Emirates. Specifically, one flight will route to Dubai, and the second will head to Abu Dhabi.
Furthermore, flights to Saudi Arabia face immediate schedule adjustments. PIA temporarily suspended flights to Dammam. This decision follows a recent missile attack on Bahrain that significantly heightened regional security concerns. Despite these mounting tensions, routine operations to Jeddah, Riyadh, and Medina continue. Currently, these flights bypass high-risk zones by using routes over the Arabian Sea and passing through Yemen.
Additionally, the sudden closure of Iranian airspace severely disrupts PIA flights bound for Europe and Canada. Therefore, the airline is rerouting these long-haul aircraft through Afghanistan’s Wakhan corridor.
Global Aviation Crisis Unfolds
The escalating war in Iran has triggered a massive global aviation shock. Major Middle Eastern airports remain closed for a second consecutive day. This unprecedented shutdown includes Dubai, the world’s busiest international hub. Authorities also shut down or severely restricted other key transit airports, including Abu Dhabi and Doha.
These sweeping airspace closures directly follow recent U.S. and Israeli strikes. These military strikes killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Consequently, the ripple effects severely impacted the global travel industry. Tens of thousands of passengers currently remain stranded in distant transit locations, including Bali, Kathmandu, and Frankfurt.
