KARACHI: Air operations between Pakistan and the Middle East remained largely suspended on Monday as the intensifying conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States continued to wreak havoc on regional aviation schedules.
According to flight information data gathered by MM News, the sudden escalation in hostilities in the Middle East has forced a reversal of the brief normalcy seen last week. with hundreds of international flights—including those originating from or transiting through Pakistan—were either cancelled or forced to turn back mid-flight as airspace over the primary Gulf corridors became a no-fly zone.
The impact was felt acutely across all major Pakistani gateways.
At Allama Iqbal International Airport and other facilities in Karachi, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, and Peshawar, at least 65 flights to and from key destinations—including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Sharjah, Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Madinah—were cancelled.
Furthermore, 35 flights experienced prolonged delays ranging from three to seven hours, leaving thousands of passengers in a state of uncertainty. Among those hardest hit are hundreds of Umrah pilgrims, many of whom remain stranded at various airports across the country.
The crisis has not only crippled air travel but also deepened the financial strain on airlines, as surging jet fuel prices compound their woes.
In an effort to conserve domestic reserves, Pakistan has urged foreign carriers to bring sufficient fuel for their return journeys. Data underscores the severity: before tensions escalated, regional hubs like Dubai and Doha handled over 1,200 and 700 daily flights, respectively. Today, seven to eight major regional airports lie largely dormant, with just 20–30% of total flight capacity still operational.
Aviation authorities, meanwhile, have advised airlines to prioritize passenger welfare. Under current protocols, travelers are being sent back to their homes rather than being accommodated in hotels, with airlines directed to confirm tickets according to the passengers’ “preferred schedules” once operations resume.
The Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) stated that it remains in “emergency mode,” providing essential landing, take-off, and parking facilities to both domestic and foreign carriers in strict accordance with international aviation laws. “All emergency requirements of airlines are being met immediately to ensure the safety of aircraft and crew,” a PAA official noted.
