KARACHI: Air travel has once again been severely disrupted as tensions in the Middle East intensify.
A total of 65 flights to and from major Pakistani cities, including Lahore (Allama Iqbal International Airport), Karachi, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, and Peshawar, have been canceled.
Additionally, 35 flights are facing delays ranging from three to seven hours.
Flights affected include routes to and from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Sharjah, Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Madinah. As a result, hundreds of Umrah pilgrims and thousands of other passengers have been stranded at airports. Airlines have begun rescheduling flights due to the emergency situation.
According to flight information data, the sudden escalation in conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel has once again disrupted previously recovering air operations. Hundreds of flights worldwide to and from the Middle East have either been canceled or forced to turn back mid-route.
Passengers are facing significant difficulties due to cancellations and rescheduling, while rising jet fuel prices are adding to the financial strain on airlines.
Before the escalation, daily flight operations included over 1,200 flights from Dubai, 700 from Doha, 200 from Bahrain, 290 from Kuwait, 675 from Riyadh, 250 from Dammam, 485 from Abu Dhabi, and around 300 from Sharjah. However, seven to eight airports are now completely closed, and only 20–30% of flights are currently operating.
In many cases, passengers are being sent back home instead of being accommodated in hotels, and their tickets are being rebooked according to their preferred schedules.
The Pakistan Airports Authority stated that, under the current emergency conditions, all domestic and international airlines are being provided landing, takeoff, and parking facilities in accordance with international regulations. Any emergency requirements are being addressed promptly.
