Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) suspended flights to several Gulf countries, joining a wave of carriers halting services after US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered a regional airspace shutdown.
According to a PIA spokesperson, flights to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait will remain suspended until tomorrow evening or until airspace is restored.
Flights to Saudi Arabia are continuing but have been rerouted via longer paths using Boeing 777 aircraft. Passengers were urged to contact PIA’s call centre at 111-786-786 for updates or booking changes.
The suspension follows retaliatory missile strikes and escalating tensions in the Middle East, which forced airspace closures over Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan.
Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, halted all operations, with Emirates, Flydubai, and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways suspending departures and arrivals.
Major international carriers including British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, ITA Airways, Wizz Air, Air India, and Indigo also canceled flights to and from affected destinations. Regional airlines like Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, and Turkish Airlines adjusted schedules or grounded flights, while several mid-air flights were rerouted.
