Pakistan reopens airspace in Lahore, Karachi after Indian strikes
Flights gradually resume as security directives shift across the region
LAHORE: Pakistan has reopened its airspace over Lahore and Karachi, just hours after a series of Indian military strikes targeted multiple locations across the country.
The escalation marks one of the most serious confrontations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in recent years.
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) confirmed early Wednesday that a 48-hour suspension on all domestic and international flights had been lifted. A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued, authorising the resumption of commercial operations while urging passengers to stay in contact with airlines due to the volatile situation.
The move came after a night of heightened military tensions during which India launched coordinated strikes on at least six sites inside Pakistan. In response, Pakistani authorities grounded all flights and placed major airports on high alert under emergency protocols.
Limited flights resume
Operations have gradually resumed at both Karachi and Lahore airports, signalling a cautious return to normalcy. At Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, two international flights and one domestic flight operated on Wednesday. PK-607 to Dubai departed ahead of schedule, while Turkish Airlines’ TK-709 to Istanbul faced delays. A domestic service to Lahore also took off without issue.
From Lahore, the first outbound flight since the reopening – PA-401 operated by a private airline – departed for Karachi. Meanwhile, Jeddah–Lahore flight PK-842, which had been diverted to Karachi due to the airspace closure, completed its journey to Lahore on Wednesday morning.
Despite the reopening, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced a 12-hour suspension of regular operations, citing operational limitations. A spokesperson said passengers would be informed of updates as schedules are reviewed.
Airports on alert
The initial airspace lockdown had severely impacted Pakistan’s aviation infrastructure. Airports in Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Quetta, and Sialkot were shut, with Islamabad International Airport entirely closed. Inbound flights were rerouted to Karachi, including Saudi Airlines’ SV-726, originally destined for Islamabad.
Authorities said the closures were precautionary, following intelligence reports and damage assessments after the Indian strikes. Sialkot International Airport also confirmed it had suspended operations in line with national security directives.
The PCAA has advised travellers not to approach airports without confirmed bookings, as enhanced security protocols remain in place across the country.
Flight cancellations across the region
The disruption triggered a wave of flight cancellations and delays, particularly impacting travel between Pakistan and the UAE. At Dubai International Airport, Emirates cancelled flights to Lahore (EK 623), Sialkot (EK 619), and Faisalabad, while delaying departures to Multan, Islamabad, and New Delhi.
Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport reported similar issues. Etihad Airways cancelled flight EY297 to Karachi, along with several return services from Pakistan. PIA’s PK264 to Lahore and Air Arabia’s 3L335 to Multan were also removed from schedules.
UAE airport authorities have advised passengers to check with airlines directly before heading to terminals, as real-time updates continue to evolve.
Airlines reroute around Pakistani airspace
The impact extended far beyond South Asia. More than two dozen international flights were rerouted to avoid Pakistani airspace, according to data from FlightRadar24. At the time of the Indian strikes, 57 international flights were airborne within Pakistan’s airspace, a military spokesperson confirmed.
Major carriers including British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France altered flight paths to avoid conflict zones, choosing longer southern routes over the Arabian Sea. Thai Airways and Swiss International also rerouted European-bound flights, while EVA Air and other carriers made technical stops in cities like Prague and Bangkok to refuel or switch crews.
Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended flights to Pakistan due to Pakistani airspace closure. The airline is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to prioritise the safety of its passengers and crew.
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) May 6, 2025
Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information on…
India responded by closing several northern airports – including Srinagar, Leh, and Amritsar – compounding regional travel disruption. Indian carriers such as IndiGo and SpiceJet cancelled multiple services and issued advisories urging passengers to monitor updates.
Asian airlines including Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines, and Taiwan’s China Airlines also announced route changes to bypass Pakistani airspace. Korean Air’s Incheon–Dubai flight, for example, now detours over Myanmar and central India.
Citing mounting risks, the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines expressed concern over navigational hazards: “Apart from cost and operational disruption, there are safety concerns, as GPS spoofing interfering with flight operations over conflict zones is one of the highest risks the industry faces,” Reuters reported.
With diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan still unresolved, international carriers across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe remain on high alert – prioritising safety while continuously adapting their operations in response to fast-moving developments.