Pakistan suspends flights at major airports amid India tensions
Lahore, Karachi, Sialkot airports closed until 6PM, says aviation authority
DUBAI/LAHORE: In a significant move responding to rising tensions with India, the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) announced the suspension of flight operations at major airports including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Sialkot.
The suspension, initially set till noon, has now been extended to 6PM Thursday.
Passengers have been advised to remain in contact with their airlines for real-time updates.
The closure was triggered by India’s missile strikes inside Pakistan on Tuesday-Wednesday night, targeting cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The government confirmed that the situation warranted immediate shutdown of air traffic due to national security concerns.
Diversions and disruption
Flights inbound to Lahore have been diverted to Karachi, including those from Dubai, Muscat, Sharjah, Jeddah, and Madinah. According to aviation sources, Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore and Sialkot airport have been evacuated as a safety measure. Jinnah International Airport in Karachi has also ceased flight operations, with over 18 scheduled flights cancelled.
Authorities in Karachi confirmed that stranded passengers were moved to lounges for their safety and comfort, as operations ground to a halt at several airports nationwide. Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) were issued to airlines regarding the closure, which could potentially extend depending on the evolving situation.
Regional impact
The escalating crisis has had international repercussions. Flight tracking websites showed major rerouting of aircraft over Oman, the UAE, and Kuwait, as Asian and Gulf-based carriers avoided Pakistani airspace. Pakistani authorities reported that 57 international flights were in national airspace when India launched its strikes.