LAHORE — The escalating conflict between Iran and the United States-Israel alliance has thrown Pakistan’s aviation industry into turmoil, with flight operations severely disrupted and airlines facing billions of rupees in losses, aviation sources confirmed Monday.
More than 90 flights were cancelled across the country on a single day, including numerous departures from Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, as uncertainty continues to grip the region.
Passengers Left Stranded
According to airport sources, over 110,000 passengers traveling from Pakistan to destinations including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Iran, Iraq, and Azerbaijan have sought ticket refunds following the suspension of flight operations.
The refund requests come as airlines struggle to provide clarity on when normal operations might resume, leaving thousands of travelers in limbo during what is typically one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Staggering Losses
In the past 17 days alone, approximately 1,955 flights from Pakistan’s major airports—including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Peshawar, and Quetta—have been grounded.
The cancellations have inflicted heavy financial losses on both domestic and international airlines operating in Pakistan. Travel agents have also suffered, with losses running into millions of rupees as commissions evaporate and booking volumes collapse.
Data shared with Express News by airlines and travel agencies paints an even grimmer picture globally: more than 55,000 flights have been cancelled worldwide due to the ongoing conflict, pushing the aviation industry to the brink of crisis.
Mid-Air Scare
In a related incident highlighting the volatility of the situation, an Emirates flight (EK-623) en route from Lahore to Dubai was forced to turn back midway due to security concerns. The aircraft, carrying over 100 passengers, landed safely back at Lahore airport. Officials did not specify the exact nature of the threat that prompted the diversion.
Travel Industry Hit Hard
Khawaja Ayub Naseem, leader of the Travel Agents Association, detailed the financial pain gripping the sector. Travel agents typically earn between Rs1,000 and Rs3,000 in service charges on each international ticket, he explained. However, the wave of refunds has wiped out those earnings, and new bookings have ground to a near-complete halt.
“The timing could not be worse,” Naseem said. “This period normally sees a surge in travel, with thousands of Pakistani expatriates returning home to celebrate Eidul Fitr with their families and Umrah pilgrims traveling to Makkah. The flight suspension has completely disrupted those plans.”
Limited Operations Continue
Airport authorities confirmed that flights between Pakistan and several Middle Eastern destinations—including Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Iran, Iraq, and Azerbaijan—remain suspended, with only limited exceptions.
However, flight operations continue for certain destinations, including Saudi Arabia, Muscat, Europe, Canada, Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, airport sources added.
Regional Context
The flight disruptions are the latest consequence of escalating military action involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The conflict has raised fears of broader regional instability, prompting airlines across the Middle East and South Asia to suspend or reroute flights as a precautionary measure.
For Pakistan’s aviation industry, already struggling to recover from previous shocks, the crisis represents yet another setback. With no immediate end to the conflict in sight, industry stakeholders warn that the losses could mount further, potentially forcing smaller players out of business.
The Civil Aviation Authority has not issued a formal statement on when normal flight operations might resume, advising passengers to check with their airlines for the latest updates.
