Air travel between Pakistan and the Middle East faced fresh disruption as 40 two-way flights were cancelled today due to the ongoing regional conflict.
Karachi was the worst affected, with the highest number of cancellations on routes to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dubai, Riyadh, Iran, and Iraq. Flights from Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Sialkot were also significantly impacted. Many passengers arrived at airports only to find their flights grounded.
Aviation sources reported that in recent weeks, Karachi alone saw 16 outbound flights cancelled on a single day, while Islamabad and Peshawar also recorded double-digit cancellations. Over the past 31 days, more than 2,400 to 2,600 flights between Pakistan and Middle Eastern destinations have been cancelled or heavily delayed due to airspace restrictions and safety concerns.
The situation remains unstable as several Middle Eastern countries have partially or fully closed their airspace amid the escalating tensions involving Iran, the US, and Israel. Airlines, including PIA and private carriers, have been forced to suspend or reschedule operations frequently.
Passengers are strongly advised to check their flight status directly with the airline or at the airport before leaving home. Schedules may change at short notice. Travellers are also recommended to stay updated through official Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announcements.
This prolonged disruption is causing major inconvenience to thousands of passengers, especially overseas Pakistanis and those travelling for business or family reasons.
