ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – The continued closure of airspace across 10 countries has led to the cancellation of 184 flights from Pakistan to the Middle East, triggering serious concern among passengers, aviation officials said on Sunday.
Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Syria has been fully shut, while flight operations through United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Jordan remain suspended since Saturday.
From Karachi, 42 flights to destinations including Dubai, Sharjah, Doha, Najaf, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Bahrain and Tehran were canceled. Lahore saw the cancellation of 40 flights to Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Tehran, Dubai, Doha, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Bahrain.
Airlines Cancel, Suspend, Reroute Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Similarly, 36 flights from Islamabad to Dubai, Doha, Dammam, Muscat, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Bahrain and Sharjah were grounded. All 18 international flights from Peshawar to Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Jeddah were also canceled.
Flight disruptions extended to other cities as well, with 22 services from Multan to Doha, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai and Jeddah canceled, while all 12 international flights from Faisalabad to Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi were suspended. In addition, 12 flights from Sialkot to Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Dubai, Sharjah, Dammam and Muscat were canceled, while both international flights from Quetta to Dubai scheduled for today were also called off.
Authorities confirmed that all major airports in the UAE, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, remain closed for flight operations.
A spokesperson for the Pakistan Airports Authority said Pakistan’s airspace is fully open and safe for operations. Officials also confirmed that Saudi Arabia has kept its airspace open with normal airport operations, while flights in Turkey have resumed, although Turkish Airlines are operating via longer alternative routes.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.