The ongoing war in the Middle East has triggered a severe aviation crisis across the region, disrupting international air travel and affecting Pakistan’s flight operations.
Over the past five days, more than 20,000 flights from eight countries have been cancelled, while Pakistani airports continue to face widespread disruptions.
The regional air crisis caused by the Middle East conflict continued to impact Pakistan’s aviation sector on the sixth consecutive day, forcing airlines to cancel multiple flights to and from the Middle East.
According to aviation authorities, 145 flights linked to Middle Eastern destinations were cancelled from Pakistani airports on Wednesday.
The cancellations included:
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35 flights from Karachi
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29 flights from Lahore
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12 flights from Multan
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35 flights from Islamabad
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14 flights from Peshawar
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12 flights from Sialkot
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6 flights from Quetta
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4 additional flights from Quetta
Since the escalation of hostilities following attacks on Iran, the total number of cancelled flights in Pakistan has reached around 900.
Airspace closures worsen crisis
The situation has intensified as the airspace of eight countries has been closed, severely disrupting international air traffic.
On Wednesday alone, 4,300 flights were cancelled across the region, while 145 flights were cancelled and 222 delayed due to fresh attacks affecting cities including Riyadh and Dammam.
The aviation crisis has severely disrupted operations at major Middle Eastern airports.
Major Gulf airports face thousands of cancellations
Airports across the Gulf have witnessed massive flight cancellations as the conflict escalates. According to aviation data:
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14,733 flights were cancelled at major airports, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Kuwait, Bahrain and Doha
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240 flights from Iran were cancelled
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215 flights from Iraq were cancelled
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58 flights from Beirut were cancelled
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380 flights from Tel Aviv were cancelled
Air traffic has been particularly affected in Bahrain, Kuwait and Doha, where no flights were able to operate for five consecutive days.
Amid the growing crisis, 167 emergency evacuation flights have been operated from UAE airports to help stranded passengers leave the region. Many travelers remain stuck in Gulf countries due to the suspension of commercial flights.
PIA begins special flights
To assist stranded citizens, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been permitted to operate two daily flights from the United Arab Emirates.
According to PIA sources, one flight each is operating daily from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These flights are specifically aimed at bringing back Pakistanis stranded in the UAE due to the conflict.
Meanwhile, PIA flights to Jeddah, Riyadh and Medina continue to operate as usual.
Major airlines suspend operations
Several international airlines have temporarily suspended or limited their flight operations due to security concerns and regional airspace restrictions.
Emirates Airlines has postponed its regular flights from Dubai until March 7.
However, the airline is operating special evacuation flights for passengers who had already booked tickets and remain in the UAE. The airline has advised passengers to arrive at the airport only after receiving confirmation messages for their flight and seat allocation.
Low-cost carrier Air Arabia has also announced the suspension of its flights from the UAE until March 9. Temporary flights are being operated only to evacuate passengers who had previously booked flights.
Saudi Airlines extend suspension of routes
Meanwhile, Saudi Airlines has suspended multiple international routes amid the escalating crisis. Flights to Muscat (Oman), Dubai, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Moscow will remain suspended until March 6.
The airline has also extended the suspension of its flight operations to Peshawar until March 6.
With the Middle East conflict continuing to intensify, aviation authorities warn that regional air travel disruptions may persist for several more days.
Airspace closures, security risks and ongoing military operations are likely to continue affecting global flight schedules, energy supply routes and international passenger movement.
