KARACHI/LAHORE — Flight operations between Pakistan and the Middle East faced major disruption on Tuesday as at least 64 flights were cancelled from major international airports across the country due to the evolving security situation in the region, aviation sources confirmed.
The cancellations affected multiple destinations, including Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Dubai, Muscat, and Abu Dhabi, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and airlines scrambling to manage the chaos.
Airport-Wide Impact
Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport saw 20 flights cancelled, while Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport recorded 16 cancellations. Islamabad International Airport had 10 flights grounded, Peshawar 10, and Sialkot eight. However, flight operations to the Middle East from Multan and Faisalabad remained normal, officials said.
Airport sources reported that the total number of cancelled international flights from eight major airports—including Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Multan, and Sialkot—stood at 101 on Tuesday alone.
Mounting Total
Officials said cancellations of flights between Pakistan and the Middle East had reached 1,687 over the past 18 days. When including flights to other destinations, the total number of cancelled flights to and from Pakistan over the same period approaches 2,000.
In some instances, flights were forced to turn back mid-air or were unable to take off due to rapidly changing conditions, adding to the confusion and frustration for travelers.
Regional Disarray
Sources said the escalation in tensions between Iran and the United States has thrown the entire regional air traffic system into disarray. Airlines are struggling to maintain schedules as airspace restrictions and security concerns multiply.
Special flights that had been launched from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to facilitate stranded passengers were also suspended once again as the situation deteriorated, cutting off a key lifeline for those seeking to return home.
Repatriation Efforts Continue
Despite widespread cancellations, around 50 special flights from Middle Eastern countries landed at airports including Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi on Tuesday to help repatriate stranded passengers. These flights represent a continued effort by Gulf nations to maintain some connectivity even as regular commercial operations grind to a halt.
Passenger Ordeal
For thousands of Pakistani travelers, the cancellations mean extended stays in unfamiliar cities, mounting expenses, and uncertainty about when normal travel might resume. Travel agents report being overwhelmed with refund requests and rebooking inquiries, though few options exist given the scale of the disruption.
Looking Ahead
With no immediate resolution to the regional conflict in sight, aviation industry stakeholders warn that disruptions are likely to continue. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates and to explore alternative routes where available.
The crisis underscores how deeply interconnected the region’s air travel network has become—and how quickly geopolitical tensions can bring it to a standstill.
