Air operations in Pakistan have been severely restricted following drone attacks from India, resulting in the cancellation and delays of numerous domestic and international flights, causing significant inconvenience to passengers, according to airport sources.
Approximately 450 flights to and from Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, and other major airports have been affected. These include flights for Hajj pilgrims as well as those to and from Dubai, Doha, Sharjah, Kuala Lumpur, Madina, Riyadh, Turkey, Canada, Europe, Abu Dhabi, and other destinations.
So far around 150 flights have been canceled.
The sudden and repeated closure and reopening of airspace over Lahore, Sialkot, Islamabad, Multan, and Karachi by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has created serious challenges for thousands of passengers, with both domestic and international airlines forced to reschedule dozens of flights.
Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport, which handles over 50 flights daily, has seen 80% of its operations affected. The PAA, the PIA, and other airlines have urged passengers to check their flight schedules before heading to the airport.
The repeated airspace closures have been particularly troublesome for Hajj pilgrims, who are often seen waiting for hours in ihram at the airport, unsure of when or if they will depart.
The situation has also impacted airport staff, including those belonging to the FIA, the PAA, customs, and others, who have been caught in a cycle of sudden duty callssent home after suspensions only to be recalled when operations resume unexpectedly.
As of now, there is no clarity on how long this disruption will continue.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Religious Affairs spokesperson said between May 7 and 9, the schedules of 13 Hajj flights were affected.
Over this three-day period, 4 Hajj flights were canceled, and 9 others were delayed. Two flights each by Saudi Airlines from Islamabad and Lahore were canceled. Three flights from Lahore, two each from Islamabad and Quetta, and one each from Multan and Karachi experienced delays.
As a result of the temporary flight suspensions, the schedules of 3,080 pilgrims were disrupted. Most of the affected flights departed with pilgrims after short delays.
Due to cancellations, 345 pilgrims who were left behind have now been flown out today from Islamabad on a special PIA flight. Another 540 pilgrims will be transported via special flights from Islamabad and Lahore.
Meanwhile, the flight inquiry website at Lahore Airport went down on Friday.
As a result, passengers faced difficulties in checking flight schedules. (WITH INPUT FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS IN ISLAMABAD)
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