Save Our Pak
Karachi (April 01, 2026): The current tense situation in the Middle East is putting heavy pressure on the aviation industry. Flight operations are being disturbed, and both local and international airlines are finding it difficult to continue their services smoothly.
Many aircraft are being forced to stay parked for several days in Pakistan and other countries. These parking charges are paid in dollars, which is adding extra financial burden on airlines.
Flight cancellations and delays
Due to the ongoing situation, flight schedules have been badly affected. From major airports including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, and Peshawar, a total of 65 flights to cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Sharjah, Doha, Dammam, Riyadh, Madinah, and Jeddah were cancelled. Meanwhile, 35 flights were delayed by three to seven hours.
Because of this disruption, hundreds of people and thousands of passengers are stuck, including a large number of Umrah pilgrims. Airlines have now started working on emergency plans to reschedule flights.
Rising jet fuel prices and challenges
According to aviation expert Imran Aslam from Sky Wing, the increasing cost of jet fuel (JP-1) is creating serious problems. As a result:
- Commercial flights are facing difficulties
- Air ambulance services are also being affected
- Training flying academies are struggling to operate
Flight information sources reported that after sudden escalation in tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel, air operations were once again suspended. Due to this, hundreds of flights from across the world to the Middle East were either cancelled or returned halfway.
Airspace situation and flight recovery
Airport officials say that there is no clear sign of when normal flight operations will fully resume. The rising cost of jet fuel is making the situation even more complicated.
Before the conflict, daily flight operations at major airports were as follows:
- Dubai: 1200+ flights
- Doha: 700 flights
- Bahrain: 175 flights
- Kuwait: 290 flights
- Riyadh: 675 flights
- Dammam: 250 flights
- Abu Dhabi: 250 flights
- Sharjah: 485 flights
- Al Ain: 300 flights
- Fujairah: 50+ flights
However, now around 7 to 8 airports are completely closed, and due to restricted airspace, only 20 to 30 percent of flights are currently operating.
Impact on passengers and airlines
Airlines are repeatedly changing their schedules. Even after planning, flights are disrupted again when the situation worsens. Because of this:
Airlines are now sending passengers back home instead of keeping them in hotels, and tickets are being rebooked based on passenger convenience.
Parking issues and extra costs
Aircraft are standing parked for days at airports in Pakistan and other countries. Since parking charges are paid in dollars, airlines are facing additional expenses. Passengers are being advised to confirm all flight details before arriving at the airport.
Pakistan Airports Authority statement
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority, all possible facilities are being provided to both local and international airlines during this emergency situation.
Landing, take-off, and parking services are being managed according to international aviation rules, and any urgent requirements of airlines are being fulfilled immediately.
Reported by Save Our Pak
