KARACHI: Air travel between Pakistan and the Middle East continued to face disruption on Friday as 64 two‑way flights were cancelled from five major international airports, amid worsening regional tensions and rising oil prices.
According to data gathered by MM News from airport officials as well as media reports, the highest number of cancellations were reported from Karachi, where 20 flights to destinations including Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Jeddah, Dammam, Sharjah, Madinah, Muscat, Riyadh, Najaf, Bahrain and Dubai did not operate. Islamabad Airport also saw 20 cancellations, covering routes to Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Riyadh, Dammam and Doha.
Six round‑trip flights to Abu Dhabi and Dubai were cancelled from Lahore, while eight flights to Dubai, Doha, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi were grounded at Peshawar. Two flights to Dubai were also cancelled from Multan. Airlines affected included Pakistan International Airlines, Airblue, Air Arabia, Iran Air and Qatar Airways.
Airport sources said that in the last 35 days, a total of 2,706 flights between Pakistan and the Middle East have been cancelled, severely impacting passenger travel and cargo operations.
The cancellations, it may be added here, come as diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East falter. Iran has rejected a United States demand for a 48‑hour ceasefire, terming the conditions unacceptable, and, Pakistan‑led peace efforts have reached a dead end, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, with Tehran unwilling to engage in talks.
With no breakthrough in sight, analysts warn that instability in the region is likely to persist, keeping pressure on global oil markets. Rising fuel costs are expected to further strain airlines already struggling with disrupted schedules.
