KARACHI: After more than two weeks of severe disruptions linked to the escalating conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel, flight operations from Pakistan to the Middle East are showing signs of stabilization.
The turmoil, which began in late February 2026, triggered widespread airspace closures across the Gulf, including Kuwait’s temporary shutdown on February 28, leading to cascading cancellations and reroutings.
The situation intensified in early March as Iran’s retaliatory strikes and drone activity disrupted key aviation hubs such as Dubai, further constricting flight corridors. While Pakistan had already imposed airspace restrictions—most notably banning Indian carriers since 2025—the regional war exacerbated the chaos, forcing airlines to divert routes and cancel flights due to contested or closed airspace.
Today on a more positive note, 231 flights from across Pakistan to the Middle East are scheduled to operate today, with 72 cancellations. Over the past 14 days, the number of canceled flights from Pakistan to the Middle East has crossed 1,811.
In specific routes, 14 flights from Karachi to Doha, Bahrain, and Kuwait have been canceled, while 64 are set to operate. From Lahore, 17 flights to Doha, Kuwait, Baghdad, and Dubai have been canceled, with 55 flights remaining operational. In Islamabad, 25 flights have been canceled, while 64 are expected to arrive and depart. Peshawar Airport has seen 14 cancellations and 8 flights operating.
Meanwhile, 8 flights from Sialkot, 10 from Faisalabad, and 24 from Multan are operational, with only two cancellations. All four flights from Quetta to Dubai and Sharjah are running as scheduled.
After 13 days of closure at Kuwait Airport, two flights have finally been able to depart for Cairo, signaling a gradual return to normalcy. Despite the ongoing risks, the aviation sector in Pakistan is showing resilience as airlines adapt to the volatile regional environment.
