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Air travel to and from Pakistan has faced major disruptions for the fifth consecutive day, with 578 flights cancelled since February 28. The cancellations are due to airspace restrictions across several Gulf countries amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States.
The disruptions have cost Pakistan’s aviation sector an estimated Rs. 20 billion so far. On Wednesday alone, 162 flights to Middle Eastern destinations were cancelled from major airports including Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, Sialkot, and Faisalabad.
Karachi airport recorded the highest cancellations with 40 flights affected to cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Sharjah, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Islamabad followed with 38 cancellations, while Lahore and Peshawar reported 28 and 24 flights suspended, respectively. Smaller airports including Multan, Sialkot, and Faisalabad also saw multiple cancellations.
Major international airlines including Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, Flydubai, and Qatar Airways, along with Pakistani carriers such as PIA, Airblue, and Fly Jinnah, have been impacted. Some domestic routes, including Islamabad to Gilgit, Skardu, and Karachi, are also affected.
Authorities advise passengers to confirm their flight schedules before travelling. Airlines are adjusting operations with alternative routes, and PIA has deployed larger aircraft like Boeing 777s to manage longer diversions.
Read more:Pakistan Airspace Fully Open, Authority Dismisses Closure Reports
