Reduced demand forces 120 flight cancellations

LAHORE:

Rising inflation and regional tensions have significantly reduced air travel demand, forcing airlines to cancel around 120 domestic and international flights between Friday and Saturday despite major fare reductions.

According to data obtained by The Express Tribune, passenger traffic sharply declined at Allama Iqbal International Airport and other airports across the country, leaving airlines struggling to sustain operations.

Industry sources said that airlines reduced domestic fares by Rs15,000 to Rs20,000 to attract passengers, but the move failed to revive demand. Travel agents reported that only essential travelers are now opting for air travel, while most passengers avoid flights due to high overall expenses.

Khawaja Ayub Naseem, a leader of the Travel Agents Association, said fares for the Lahore–Karachi route, which previously ranged between Rs60,000 to Rs70,000, have now dropped to Rs40,000–45,000 or even lower, yet passenger turnout remains weak.

As a result, about 20 domestic flights were cancelled. Similarly, around 100 international flights to destinations including Sharjah, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, and Fujairah were also called off.

Airport-wise data shows that 27 flights were cancelled at Jinnah International Airport, 18 at Allama Iqbal International Airport, 21 at Islamabad International Airport, 9 at Multan Airport, 13 at Peshawar Airport, 4 at Sialkot Airport, and 8 at Faisalabad Airport.