RAWALPINDI / LAHORE: Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at airports across Pakistan after a series of flight disruptions caused by rising tensions between Pakistan and India. Major airports in Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, and Sialkot were hit hardest, with many flights cancelled or delayed due to the temporary closure of airspace.
Flight operations at the four airports were temporarily suspended for several hours, but resumed on Thursday after the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) lifted the suspensions. Initially, the PAA announced that Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport would remain closed until midnight; however, operations were resumed earlier than expected. By evening, Islamabad, Lahore, and Sialkot airports also resumed normal flight services.
The PAA had earlier suspended flights at these airports until Thursday noon, citing operational reasons. The closure was later extended until 6 pm, before the airports were reopened.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) confirmed the disruptions, stating that the security situation had severely impacted air operations across the country. A PIA spokesperson explained that air routes had been temporarily restricted as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of both passengers and aircraft. The airline urged passengers to remain patient, providing updates through its call center and offering meals and accommodations for those affected by flight diversions.
Passengers described their difficulties, with several flights being cancelled or rescheduled at the last minute. Ghazala Bibi, a traveler from Sialkot, said her flight to Dubai was abruptly cancelled due to the airport’s closure. Other passengers, like those travelling to Washington via Doha from Lahore, faced similar issues, with rescheduled flights causing further inconvenience.
The disruptions also affected domestic and international flight operations for a third consecutive day, with domestic air travellers experiencing the brunt of the delays. The Haj flight operation, which had just begun, was nearly suspended due to the escalating tensions between Pakistan and India.
While many international airlines suspended their flights to and from Pakistan until May 10, the PAA assured that it was continuously updating air traffic status and revising notices to airmen (Notams) to keep passengers informed.
