KARACHI: The escalating tensions in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel, and the United States have led to a massive disruption in flight operations. Due to the closure of airspace in several countries, 162 additional flights were cancelled at various airports across Pakistan, including Karachi, bringing the total number of cancellations to 578 over the last five days.
Impact on Major Airports
According to aviation sources, the regional instability has severely affected flight schedules to and from the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and other Middle Eastern destinations. The disruptions have hit all major Pakistani cities, with Karachi reporting 40 cancellations, followed by 38 in Islamabad, 28 in Lahore, 24 in Peshawar, 18 in Multan, 8 in Sialkot, and 6 in Faisalabad.
Affected Airlines and Destinations
The flight disruptions involve both national and international carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, FlyDubai, and Qatar Airways, as well as national airlines like PIA and Airblue.
Reason for Disruptions
Sources indicate that since February 28, the closure of airspace over countries such as Iran, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait has forced airlines to suspend operations. This situation has left thousands of passengers stranded, causing significant distress and logistical challenges for travelers heading to or returning from the Gulf region.
