KARACHI: Flight disruptions across Pakistan continued on Thursday, with 46 domestic and international flights cancelled. This came as airlines adjust to new operational requirements and a tightening supply of aviation fuel linked to regional instability in the Middle East.
According to information gathered by MM News from various airport schedules, the cancellations have affected a significant number of travelers at major airports in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar.
In Karachi, 15 international flights to destinations including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Bahrain were grounded. Domestic connectivity was also hit, with nine flights from the city to Islamabad, Lahore, Gwadar, and Turbat cancelled.
Other major cities faced similar disruptions:
– Islamabad: 10 flights to Riyadh, Kuwait, and Dammam were cancelled.
– Lahore: 9 flights to Gulf destinations, including Jeddah and Doha, were called off.
– Peshawar: 10 flights to the UAE and Qatar were grounded.
– Multan: Two flights to Dubai operated by a private carrier were cancelled.
In addition to the cancellations, over two dozen flights from Karachi and Islamabad to cities like Istanbul, Manchester, and Medina experienced significant delays.
Industry sources cautiously attribute the current wave of cancellations to a recent “Notice to Airmen” (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), asking foreign airlines to minimize their fuel intake in Pakistan and instead carry enough fuel from abroad for their return journeys—a practice known as “fuel tankering.”
The situation has created difficulties for travelers, many of whom reported being informed of the cancellations only after reaching the airport. There are also growing concerns regarding luggage, as some flights that do operate are forced to leave passenger bags behind to accommodate the weight of the extra fuel.
While PAA officials stated that Pakistani airlines are currently receiving their required fuel amounts, the broader industry remains under pressure due to rising global fuel costs and supply chain delays.
