UAE’s Etihad Airways resumes flights after India-Pakistan ceasefire
All major Pakistani airports fully operational, says national aviation authority
DUBAI: UAE’s national airline Etihad Airways has resumed flights to Pakistan following the announcement of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier confirmed to Khaleej Times that flights between the UAE and Pakistan are currently scheduled to operate as normal on Monday, May 12, and select services have already resumed on Sunday, May 11. This update comes in the wake of a significant geopolitical shift after both countries agreed to halt hostilities immediately.
The daytime services scheduled for Sunday include flight EY300/EY301 between Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport and Islamabad International Airport, EY294/EY295 for Abu Dhabi to Karachi Jinnah International Airport, and EY288/EY289 for Abu Dhabi to Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport. Etihad stated that these flights would proceed as planned, subject to any further changes.
Pakistan reopens airspace
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced on Saturday that the country’s airspace is fully open for all types of civil and military operations. The authority’s spokesperson confirmed, “All airports in the country are available for normal flight operations. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for schedule updates.”
This statement marked a swift reversal of a previous NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) that had extended the nationwide airspace closure until midday on May 11. The earlier suspension, which affected flights both inbound and outbound, was due to rising tensions at the Line of Control (LoC). The PAA cited “uncertain nature of the conflict” as the primary reason for the temporary closure.
The decision to lift the restrictions came just hours after US President Donald Trump announced via social media that India and Pakistan had reached a “full and immediate ceasefire.” According to Indian sources, the agreement followed a high-level conversation between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries. The ceasefire came into effect from 11:30 GMT (17:00 IST) on Saturday.
Regional flight impact
The escalation in hostilities had led to widespread disruption of regional air travel, with UAE-bound flights bearing the brunt. Emirates had confirmed suspension of its services to and from Pakistan through Monday, May 12, citing uncertainty around airspace access. Etihad Airways also paused its operations on Saturday, advising passengers transiting through Abu Dhabi without confirmed connections not to proceed with travel plans.
Similarly, Air Arabia suspended flights from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi to various Pakistani cities until May 13. Affected travellers were contacted by the airline and advised to stay updated through official channels. The cancellations and delays significantly impacted connectivity between the UAE and Pakistan, which typically sees high passenger volumes.
With the reopening of Pakistan's skies and the ceasefire in effect, normal flight schedules are now gradually being restored, bringing relief to travellers and airlines alike.