Islamabad (Pakistan News) – The escalation of conflict in the Middle East has severely disrupted air operations once again. A total of 65 flights to and from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Sharjah, Doha, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Madinah have been canceled from airports including Allama Iqbal International, Karachi, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, and Peshawar, while 35 flights have been delayed by three to seven hours, stranding hundreds of Umrah pilgrims and thousands of other travelers.
According to flight information, the renewed tensions between Iran, the U.S., and Israel have forced air operations, which had temporarily resumed, to be suspended again. As a result, hundreds of flights to and from the Middle East, including from Pakistan, have either been canceled or returned mid-route. Rising jet fuel prices have further strained airline finances, adding to passengers’ difficulties caused by cancellations and rescheduling.
Before the conflict, daily flights from Dubai exceeded 1,200, from Doha 700, Bahrain 200, Kuwait 290, Riyadh 675, Dammam 250, Abu Dhabi 485, and Sharjah around 300. Now, seven to eight airports are nearly closed, with only 20–30 percent of flights operating. Passengers are being sent home instead of staying in hotels, with tickets being rebooked according to their preferred schedule.
The Pakistan Airport Authority stated that under the current emergency, all domestic and international airlines are being provided landing, takeoff, and parking facilities in accordance with international regulations, and urgent needs are being addressed promptly. Airlines are also continuously rescheduling flights to maximize passenger convenience.