Airspace restrictions across several Middle Eastern countries have forced the cancellation of 116 outbound flights from Pakistan, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at major airports nationwide. Aviation authorities confirmed that the suspensions affected routes to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and other regional destinations. The sudden closures followed escalating tensions in the region, prompting governments to restrict civilian air traffic as a precautionary security measure.
Jinnah International Airport in Karachi recorded the highest number of disruptions, with 32 flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Doha, Kuwait, and Bahrain cancelled within a single day. Meanwhile, Islamabad International Airport reported 28 cancellations, and Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore suspended 20 flights. Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar also faced significant impact, with 16 scheduled departures to Middle Eastern cities called off.
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In addition, Multan International Airport saw 10 cancellations, Faisalabad International Airport reported four, and Quetta International Airport confirmed two flights were grounded due to restricted airspace. Major carriers operating on these routes included Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, Pakistan International Airlines, Air Blue, Flydubai, Qatar Airways, and Fly Jinnah. These widespread suspensions disrupted business travel, family visits, and connecting international journeys for thousands of travelers.
Aviation officials explained that authorities in multiple Middle Eastern states temporarily closed portions of their airspace to ensure passenger safety during heightened regional instability. As a result, airlines either rerouted aircraft where possible or cancelled flights entirely to avoid potential risks. Industry sources further revealed that approximately 9,500 flights have been cancelled at seven major airports across the Middle East since tensions escalated.
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Authorities have strongly advised passengers to confirm their flight status directly with their respective airlines before leaving for the airport, as schedules continue to change rapidly. Furthermore, airport management teams across Pakistan have increased customer support services to manage the growing number of stranded passengers. While officials hope for a swift reopening of regional airspace, uncertainty remains as diplomatic and security developments continue to unfold.