Flight operations at Islamabad International Airport have resumed after a temporary suspension caused by flypast exercises for Pakistan Day on March 23.
The restrictions, which also affected Karachi and Lahore airports, were lifted once the scheduled drills were completed.
Airport authorities confirmed that flight operations at Islamabad airport have resumed as usual after the completion of the flypast exercise.
The Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued earlier for the suspension of commercial flights was also cancelled once the exercise concluded, allowing take-offs and landings to restart.
Flights diverted from Karachi to Islamabad
During the suspension period, several flights experienced disruptions.
According to airport authorities, flights halted at Karachi airport were diverted to Islamabad airport as part of operational adjustments during the exercise.
The temporary suspension of flights was linked to flypast exercises in preparation for the March 23 Pakistan Day celebrations.
Due to the drills, take-off and landing operations at Islamabad Airport were closed for several hours, while commercial flight operations were also suspended at Karachi and Lahore airports earlier in the morning.
NOTAM issued for flight restrictions
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) issued a NOTAM to inform airlines and aviation authorities about the temporary restrictions.
According to the NOTAM, flypast exercises were scheduled from 10am to 1:15pm, during which time commercial flight operations at Islamabad Airport were suspended.
The advisory also directed aircraft already in the air to carry extra fuel as a precaution during the exercise period.
The temporary suspension also affected individual flights.
For example, a private airline AirSial flight from Karachi to Islamabad was stopped at Karachi airport due to the restrictions imposed during the flypast drills.
Normal flight schedules restored
With the completion of the exercise and cancellation of the NOTAM, air operations have now returned to normal.
Authorities confirmed that flights will now depart from Karachi airport, and regular take-off and landing operations at Islamabad airport have resumed.
