KARACHI, Pakistan – Web Desk : Flight operations between Pakistan and several Middle Eastern destinations remained disrupted on Thursday as regional tensions continued to affect air travel across the Gulf.
According to aviation authorities, at least 55 flights between Pakistan and major Gulf cities — including Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Manama — were cancelled.
From Karachi alone, 14 flights to Doha, Bahrain, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Najaf were cancelled. Similarly, 14 flights departing from Lahore to destinations including Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jeddah, Bahrain and Sharjah were also called off.
Authorities said 25 flights from Islamabad to Gulf cities such as Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Bahrain, Riyadh, Jeddah and Sharjah were cancelled as well.
Meanwhile, from Sialkot, two flights to Doha were cancelled while six flights remain scheduled. From Faisalabad, seven flights to the Middle East are expected to operate, while from Multan, around 16 flights to Dubai, Jeddah and Sharjah are likely to proceed as planned.
Flights from Quetta to Dubai are continuing operations normally.
Officials said airlines have been instructed to carry additional fuel reserves due to possible delays or route diversions caused by the security situation in the region.
Meanwhile, a special flight operation by Qatar Airways is continuing from Doha, while Gulf Air has launched an emergency flight operation from Dammam.
Authorities also confirmed that flight operations at Islamabad airport will remain temporarily suspended between 10:00am and 1:15pm due to operational reasons. In addition, certain air corridors within the Lahore Flight Information Region will remain temporarily unavailable during this period.
The disruptions come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East that have forced airlines and aviation authorities to adjust routes and schedules to ensure passenger safety.
