Etihad cancels, delays Pakistan flights as fog and cold disrupt air travel
Passengers urged to monitor updates and adjust travel plans
ABU DHABI/LAHORE – UAE’s national flag-carrier Etihad Airways has cancelled and delayed several flights between Abu Dhabi and Pakistan after adverse weather conditions disrupted operations in Lahore and Karachi, affecting passengers travelling between January 15 and 17.
The airline said poor visibility and weather-related safety concerns led to cancellations, while a wider cold spell and dense fog across Pakistan continued to affect air and road travel.
Travellers flying between the UAE and Pakistan have been advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport and allow extra time for their journeys.
Flight disruptions
Etihad confirmed that flight EY284 from Abu Dhabi to Lahore on January 16 and the return service EY285 from Lahore to Abu Dhabi on January 17 were cancelled due to poor weather in Lahore. The same outbound service EY284 on January 15 was delayed, which also caused a delay to the return flight EY285 on January 16.
In Karachi, flight EY299 from Jinnah International Airport to Abu Dhabi on January 15 faced delays because of adverse weather conditions affecting visibility.
Passenger guidance
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier advised affected travellers to ensure their contact details are up to date via etihad.com/contactme to receive real-time updates by SMS or email. Passengers needing to change bookings or seek assistance have been directed to Etihad’s local phone numbers, live chat services and official social media channels.
The airline reiterated that the safety and comfort of passengers and crew remain its top priority, while apologising for the inconvenience caused by the disruptions.
Weather in Pakistan
Pakistan has been experiencing a cold spell, with northern and hilly regions reporting freezing temperatures, while plains and southern cities have seen chilly nights and foggy mornings. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority Punjab issued a weather alert forecasting rain and a further drop in temperatures across most districts. Dense fog has continued to disrupt travel across Punjab, with reduced visibility reported on major highways near Lahore, Multan, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan. At Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, several international flights were cancelled or delayed due to poor visibility, with airport sources reporting five cancellations and at least six delays.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, dry and extremely cold conditions persisted in upper areas, while dense fog affected plains including Peshawar, Mardan and Swabi. The Meteorological Department reported Kalam as the coldest location at minus 6 degrees Celsius.
Karachi also faced severe fog, with visibility dropping to as low as 50 metres at Jinnah International Airport, leading to suspended operations during early morning hours. Departures of at least 10 flights were affected, while several international services were diverted or placed on hold as authorities monitored conditions.