The escalating conflict in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel, and the United States has led to major disruptions in air travel from Pakistan. Airlines have cancelled around 100 flights to various destinations in the region, leaving many passengers stranded or forced to change plans.
Aviation sources reported the cancellations on March 1, 2026, as a direct response to closed airspaces and safety risks following recent military strikes and retaliatory actions. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national carrier, suspended services to key Gulf countries including the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait. Flights to Saudi Arabia have been rerouted to avoid affected zones.
Impact at Major Pakistani Airports
- At Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, 22 international flights were called off.
- Islamabad International Airport saw 18 cancellations.
- Similar measures affected operations from Multan, Sialkot, Peshawar, Quetta, and Karachi, with multiple routes to Middle Eastern cities halted on Saturday and into Sunday.
These changes stem from broader regional airspace restrictions. Countries such as Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan have imposed partial or full closures, creating large no-fly zones. Global trackers like Cirium show hundreds of flights cancelled across the Middle East, with over 700 affected on March 1 alone in the Gulf and wider region.
Passengers face significant inconvenience, including delays in reaching family, work, or religious destinations during this period. Airlines are advising travelers to check status directly and offering rebooking or refund options where possible.
Airport officials emphasize that decisions prioritize passenger and crew safety amid the volatile security environment. The situation remains fluid, with updates expected as airspace reopens or further advisories come through.
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No official statements from Pakistani authorities on broader implications were available at the time of writing, but the cancellations highlight how quickly regional tensions can affect civilian travel.
