A significant decline of nearly 50% has been recorded in international flights departing from Pakistan due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, according to a new survey by Gallup Pakistan.
The survey reveals that at the beginning of March, the number of international departures dropped sharply from 1,127 to just 572, indicating a major setback for the aviation sector within a matter of weeks.
Data from Gallup Pakistan shows an extraordinary reduction in air traffic, largely attributed to the closure of Iranian and Gulf airspace, which has severely disrupted flight operations.
As a result, numerous flights have been canceled, several routes have been altered, and flight frequencies have been significantly reduced.
Pakistan’s heavy reliance on Middle Eastern routes has made its aviation sector particularly vulnerable, with a noticeable decline in travel activity on Gulf routes, including Dubai.
Interestingly, the proportion of flights to Saudi Arabia has increased, reflecting a continued demand for essential and religious travel, while non-essential travel has declined sharply, the survey added.
