Dubai-Karachi flights disrupted as monsoon rains hit airport operations
FlyDubai service rerouted to Multan; PIA suspends Quetta and Islamabad flights amid stormy conditions
DUBAI – Heavy monsoon rains lashed Pakistan’s largest city of Karachi on Tuesday, paralysing parts of the city and causing severe disruption to flight operations at Jinnah International Airport.
The downpour led to waterlogging, traffic jams and power outages, leaving many passengers unable to reach the terminal while several flights were either cancelled, diverted or rescheduled.
According to the Pakistan Aviation Authority (PAA), multiple Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights were affected. National and international carriers struggled to maintain schedules as stormy conditions persisted across the metropolis.
Karachi flight disruptions
Eight flights were cancelled and over 20 delayed during the day. PIA suspended its Karachi–Quetta–Karachi flights PK-310/311 and Karachi–Islamabad–Karachi services PK-308/309, while Lahore–Karachi flight PK-305 was held back at Lahore Airport pending improved weather.
Several departures faced hours-long delays, including Karachi–Najaf service PK-109/110, rescheduled for 10:30pm, and Karachi–Islamabad flight PK-370, shifted to 9:30pm.
PIA’s PK-456 arriving from Skardu was rerouted to Sukkur after failing to land at Karachi.
???? #Karachi Shahrah e Faisal Urban Flooding situation! Till now 202mm recorded at Gulshan e roomi (private station) near Airport!#karachirain #KarachiRains pic.twitter.com/h9ORzsj1uw
— PakWeather (@Pak_Weather) August 19, 2025
International routes also saw disruption, with Karachi–Jeddah flight PK-731 and Karachi–Madinah PK-843 pushed back. Tomorrow’s early Karachi–Islamabad services PK-300/301 were already cancelled.
Flights from the Gulf and beyond were caught in the weather chaos. A FlyDubai flight (FZ-335) from Dubai to Karachi was forced to divert to Multan, while another Dubai-bound private carrier cancelled its Karachi service altogether.
Arrivals from Jeddah, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Colombo also faced lengthy delays, while a Serene Air service attempting to land twice in Karachi had to return to Islamabad after aborted approaches.
Where did rains hit hardest?
The Pakistan Meteorological Department recorded heavy rainfall across the city. Gulshan-i-Hadeed logged the highest at 145 millimetres by 5pm, followed by Airport Old Area at 138mm and Keamari at 137mm. Other significant downpours included Jinnah Terminal (135mm), University Road (132mm), Saadi Town (123mm) and Defence Phase VII (121mm).
Im at nursery drain & one can see that it is taking water well. Water level is coming down in the surrounding area now. Requesting people to again avoid unnecessary movement pic.twitter.com/0Ceel2qORW
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) August 19, 2025
City Mayor Murtaza Wahab declared a rain emergency, cancelling all staff leave across essential services. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation confirmed departments had been directed to remain on duty until conditions stabilised.
With monsoon rains forecast to continue, aviation authorities have advised passengers to stay updated through helplines, while carriers brace for more schedule changes in the days ahead.