The aviation sector is seeing a major breakthrough as Pakistan resumes Middle East flights following the recent announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran. This diplomatic shift, mediated in part by Pakistan, has led to the lifting of critical airspace restrictions over Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, and Qatar, allowing airlines to gradually restart international operations.

Flight Resumption Across Major Cities

Airport authorities have confirmed a surge in activity as several flights from major Pakistani hubs have already departed for Gulf destinations. The breakdown of initial operations includes:

• Karachi (Jinnah International): Handled 18 flights, the highest volume in the country.

• Lahore (Allama Iqbal): Multiple departures for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Bahrain, Doha, Jeddah, Dammam, and Kuwait.

• Islamabad International: Dispatched 8 flights to various Gulf cities.

• Peshawar & Multan: Recorded 6 and 4 departures respectively.

Impact of the Conflict

The conflict had severely paralyzed regional air travel for over 40 days, resulting in more than 3,000 flight cancellations globally. During this period, thousands of Pakistani passengers—including workers, families, and Umrah pilgrims—were left stranded or faced extreme delays.

Now that Pakistan resumes Middle East flights, airlines are working around the clock to revise schedules. However, travelers are cautioned that full restoration will take time, as some regions still maintain partial airspace limitations for safety.

What Passengers Need to Know

The return to normalcy is a significant relief for the aviation industry and travelers alike. If you are planning to travel, keep the following in mind:

• Check Status: Contact your airline directly for the most up-to-date schedule.
• Stay Informed: Be aware that “partial restrictions” in certain corridors may still cause slight route deviations.
• Umrah Travelers: Priority is being given to clearing the backlog of pilgrims.

This positive development is expected to ease the immense pressure on the aviation sector and stabilize travel between Pakistan and the Gulf nations in the coming weeks.