Flight cancellations amid Middle East tensions cause Rs20 billion revenue loss to Pakistani airlines

Air travel to and from Pakistan remained severely disrupted for the fifth consecutive day due to airspace closures linked to tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel, with 578 domestic and international flights cancelled since February 28 and airline industry losses estimated at around Rs20 billion, according to a news report. 

On Wednesday alone, 162 flights between Pakistan and Middle Eastern destinations were cancelled. The affected routes involved departures from Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, Sialkot and Faisalabad to cities including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Sharjah, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jeddah, Al Ain, Najaf and Ras Al Khaimah.

Karachi airport recorded the highest number of cancellations with 40 flights to Gulf destinations affected. Islamabad reported 38 cancellations involving routes to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait and Sharjah.

At Lahore airport, 28 flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait and Bahrain were cancelled, while 24 flights from Peshawar to Dubai, Sharjah, Doha and Abu Dhabi were also suspended.

Multan airport reported 18 cancellations on routes to Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Bahrain, Doha and Kuwait. Eight flights were cancelled from Sialkot and six from Faisalabad.

The affected flights included services operated by Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, Pakistan International Airlines, Airblue, Flydubai, Qatar Airways and Fly Jinnah.

Officials said the disruptions were caused by airspace closures in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran and several other countries since the end of February.

Islamabad International Airport alone recorded around 180 cancellations over the past five days. Several arrivals and departures scheduled for Wednesday were also affected, including flights to and from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, Bahrain, Doha and Sharjah. Flights to Al Ain and Najaf were also suspended.

Gulf airspace restrictions have also affected some domestic operations, leading to the suspension of certain flights to Gilgit, Skardu and Karachi.

Aviation sources said between 35 and 40 two-way flights are currently being cancelled daily at Islamabad airport.

Pakistan International Airlines has reduced the use of Airbus A320 aircraft on some routes due to operational constraints and is operating alternative routes using Boeing 777 aircraft.

Airlines have advised passengers to confirm flight schedules through official helplines before travelling to airports as the situation remains uncertain. Industry officials said the prolonged disruptions have resulted in losses amounting to millions of dollars for the aviation sector.