Several airlines, including PIA, suspend Gulf flights after Iranian strikes on US base

Several airlines, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), suspended flights to various destinations in the Gulf region following Iranian missile strikes on a US base in Qatar. 

The strikes, which targeted a US base outside Doha, led to the closure of airspace by countries including Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, who expressed concerns over the potential escalation of hostilities in the region.

In a statement, PIA confirmed that its operations to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Dubai were suspended in light of the growing military tensions in the Gulf. The airline emphasized that the decision to suspend these flights was made due to the “escalating military situation” in the region.

Following the Iranian attacks, Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, announced the temporary suspension of air navigation over its airspace as a precautionary measure. The Civil Aviation Affairs of Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications said the suspension would remain in effect while the regional situation was assessed.

Similarly, Qatar and Kuwait also shut down their airspace in response to the heightened risks of retaliation following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites earlier in the week. The airspace closures have disrupted flight schedules and added to the uncertainty surrounding air travel in the region as tensions remain high.

Airlines and travelers are closely monitoring the situation as further developments unfold in the Gulf, with air travel operations expected to resume once the situation stabilizes.