Middle East Tensions Disrupt Flights as 56 Routes Cancelled Across Pakistan Airports

LAHORE: Middle East tensions disrupt flights across Pakistan on Saturday, causing major disruptions at key airports and forcing airlines to cancel dozens of routes. The situation has affected passengers travelling to multiple Gulf destinations as regional conflict continues to impact aviation operations.

According to airport officials, flight operations were badly hit, with the highest number of cancellations reported at Jinnah International Airport. Authorities confirmed that a total of 56 two-way flights to Middle Eastern countries were cancelled from five major airports.

The affected flights were operated by leading airlines, including Pakistan International Airlines, Airblue, Air Arabia, Iran Air, and Qatar Airways.

At Karachi airport, around 20 two-way flights were cancelled. These routes included major destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Jeddah, Dammam, Sharjah, Madinah, Muscat, Riyadh, Najaf, Bahrain, and Dubai.

Similarly, Islamabad International Airport also faced heavy disruptions, with another 20 two-way flights cancelled. The affected routes covered Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Riyadh, Dammam, and Doha.

At Allama Iqbal International Airport, six two-way flights to Middle Eastern destinations, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, were cancelled.

Meanwhile, Bacha Khan International Airport reported eight cancelled two-way flights on routes to Dubai, Doha, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi.

At Multan International Airport, two two-way flights to Dubai were also cancelled.

Airport sources revealed that over the past 35 days, the total number of cancelled flights between Pakistan and Middle Eastern countries has reached 2,706, highlighting the ongoing impact of regional tensions on air travel.

In a separate development, Pakistan International Airlines recently resumed its Islamabad to London route after a gap of six years. The inaugural flight PK-785 departed from Islamabad carrying 325 passengers, marking the restoration of a key international connection between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.