The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has withdrawn its earlier 48-hour NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) regarding the temporary closure of Pakistani airspace, restoring normal flight operations over major cities including Lahore and Karachi.
According to a fresh NOTAM issued by the CAA, the previous notification restricting airspace access has been cancelled, allowing both domestic and international aircraft to resume operations through previously affected air corridors.
The development comes amid heightened regional tensions, prompting authorities to initially take precautionary steps. However, the CAA clarified that the final decision regarding flight schedules and routing remains with individual airlines.
“In view of the evolving regional situation, passengers are advised to stay in contact with their respective airlines for updated information regarding their flights,” the CAA said in a statement.
Flight operations at key airports, including Karachi’s Jinnah International and Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International, have since returned to normal, though airlines may adjust schedules based on operational assessments.
Travelers are urged to remain vigilant and follow official airline communications to avoid inconvenience.
Earlier, Pakistan temporarily closed its airspace for 48 hours, suspending all domestic and international flights across all the country's airports, including Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Quetta.
According to aviation sources, Islamabad International Airport was shut down for all flight operations, and all inbound and outbound flights were diverted to the Karachi airport. Authorities advised passengers not to come to the airport and to return home. The Civil Aviation Authority stated that normal flight operations will resume once the situation stabilizes.
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) also announced the cancellation of all its flights for the next 12 hours, citing operational reasons amid the prevailing security situation.
According to a PIA spokesperson, passengers are advised to remain in contact with PIA call centers for updates regarding their flights. “The passengers will be informed about the evolving situation in due course,” the spokesperson added.
Sialkot International Airport was temporarily closed for all flight operations until further notice. The airport spokesperson confirmed the suspension and stated that the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety.
