KARACHI: Flight operations between Pakistan and the Middle East remain heavily disrupted as escalating regional tensions continue to affect air traffic. On Sunday alone, 102 flights were canceled from the country’s international airports, adding to mounting passenger woes.
According to information available with MM News, Karachi Airport recorded the highest number of cancellations, with 44 flights to Dubai, Sharjah, and Kuwait suspended. Islamabad Airport reported eight cancellations, while Lahore saw 18 flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain grounded. Peshawar accounted for 16 cancellations, Multan 10, Sialkot four, and Faisalabad two. The suspended flights involved major carriers including Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Industry insiders as well as market analysts point out that the disruption is not only linked to regional instability but also to rising global oil prices, which have sharply increased operational costs for airlines. Security concerns in Middle Eastern airspace have further complicated scheduling, forcing carriers to reroute or suspend services altogether.
These cancellations have led to soaring ticket prices on the few flights still operating, with passengers facing difficulties in securing affordable seats. Besides these, travel agents report that fares to Gulf destinations have nearly doubled in recent days, reflecting both reduced supply and heightened demand.
It should be noted that the cumulative number of canceled flights from Pakistan to the Middle East has reached 1,148 in the past 10 days, underscoring the scale of disruption to regional connectivity, with aviation officials adding that the situation remains fluid, with further cancellations likely if tensions persist.
