Pakistan’s international flight operations have dropped sharply by nearly 50 percent in early March, largely due to regional instability linked to the ongoing Iran war and resulting airspace restrictions.
Aviation data shows that 1,127 international flights operated between February 1–10, compared to just 572 flights from March 1–10, marking an unusually steep decline in a matter of weeks.
The disruption comes as Gulf airspace closures and heightened security concerns continue to impact flights across the region. Many flights have been cancelled, rerouted, or reduced in frequency, severely affecting connectivity for Pakistani travelers.
Pakistan’s aviation sector, which relies heavily on Middle Eastern routes, has been particularly vulnerable. Travel demand to key destinations like Dubai and other Gulf hubs has fallen significantly, further exacerbating the decline.
However, flights to Saudi Arabia have seen a relative increase, driven by religious and essential travel, while non-essential travel continues to decrease amid uncertainty.
Industry experts note that the situation highlights the fragility of Pakistan’s aviation sector, which remains highly exposed to geopolitical tensions. The latest disruptions illustrate how quickly global conflicts can impact air travel, especially in regions dependent on sensitive air corridors.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, but a full recovery is expected to hinge on regional stability and the reopening of key airspace routes.
Earlier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) issued a travel advisory announcing the temporary suspension of flights to Fujairah, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for 48 hours due to the prevailing security situation in Gulf countries.
According to the airline’s spokesperson, flights to the United Arab Emirates will, for the time being, continue only to Al Ain, while all Fujairah-bound operations remain halted.
Widespread disruptions persist across Pakistan, with 83 flights to Middle Eastern destinations cancelled in a single day. Flights to Fujairah from Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar were completely suspended, affecting all eight scheduled services.
From Karachi, 18 flights to destinations including Doha, Bahrain, Baghdad, Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi were cancelled, while another 18 flights from Lahore to Kuwait, Sharjah, Doha, Bahrain, and Dubai were grounded. Additionally, 26 flights from Islamabad, 11 from Peshawar, six from Sialkot, and four from Multan were cancelled.
Despite the disruptions, all nine scheduled flights from Faisalabad to Jeddah, Dubai, Sharjah, and Madinah remained operational.
