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Pakistan’s aviation landscape faced a fresh wave of disruption on Thursday morning as three major airports, Lahore, Sialkot, and Karachi, were temporarily closed for commercial flight operations.
The action, attributed to “operational reasons” amid heightened regional tensions, was confirmed through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).
Air Routes Closed Until Further Notice
According to official NOTAMs, flight paths J-139, J-165, and J-186 covering parts of Lahore’s Flight Information Region were shut down for all types of air traffic. Initially announced to remain effective for 48 hours, the airspace restrictions have now impacted air travel on a rolling basis, including further suspensions Thursday morning.
“Several air routes within Lahore, Karachi, and Sialkot have been closed for commercial flights,” the NOTAM stated.
As a result, flight operations across these zones have either been halted or rerouted. PIA’s flight from Medina to Lahore was diverted to Karachi, while another Multan-Lahore flight was also redirected. One flight due to land in Lahore at 4:15 am was among those affected by the sudden airspace restrictions.
Islamabad Airport Subject to ATC Clearance
While Islamabad Airport remains open, arrivals and departures are now subject to prior clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC).
“It is suggested to contact the Islamabad Air Traffic Control before departure of flights,” as stated in the NOTAM.
The ripple effect of the restricted airspace has extended beyond Pakistan’s borders. Finnair, Emirates, Turkish Cargo, and Saudia flights were shown diverting from Pakistani airspace, according to FlightRadar24.
In statements to international media:
Air France confirmed it was “adapting its flight schedule and flight plans to and from certain destinations.”
Lufthansa said it was “avoiding Pakistani airspace until further notice.”
PIA and Indian Airlines Respond
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced the cancellation of all its flights for the next 12 hours, urging passengers to stay in contact with its call centres for further updates.
“The passengers will be informed about the evolving situation in due course,” a PIA spokesperson noted.
Meanwhile, Indian airlines were also affected, particularly in Indian-occupied Kashmir and northern cities:
- SpiceJet suspended operations from Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar.
- IndiGo reported disruptions to its services in the same regions.
- Air India cancelled flights to and from cities including Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Amritsar, and Chandigarh, and rerouted two international flights originally heading to Amritsar to Delhi.
While Sialkot and Lahore airports experienced a brief resumption of flight operations, the situation remains fluid. Airport authorities emphasized that the initial restoration was short-lived, with closures reinstated early Thursday morning due to “operational measures.”
An official from Sialkot International Airport confirmed that the closure was a “precautionary measure to ensure public safety.”
PAA Urges Coordination and Passenger Caution
On Wednesday, the Pakistan Airports Authority released a reassuring statement asserting that “all airports in Pakistan are fully operational” and that commercial flight operations were proceeding smoothly. However, by Thursday, circumstances changed rapidly.
The PAA has now advised travelers to stay updated through relevant airlines. These airlines will determine route availability based on real-time assessments.
