ISLAMABAD (Kashmir Digital): Flight operation between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has resumed after a temporary suspension, with flights now operating from major UAE airports to several cities in Pakistan.
UAE aviation officials confirmed that flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah to Pakistan are back in service. Dubai Airport has restarted flights to major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Sialkot, Islamabad, and Peshawar.
The first flight to Islamabad is scheduled for May 12, and flights to Peshawar will begin on May 13.
In Abu Dhabi, flights to Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore have also resumed. However, some flights have been rescheduled, and passengers are advised to check with airlines or airport customer service for the latest updates. Authorities expect all flight schedules from Abu Dhabi to return to normal by May 12.
Sharjah Airport is also resuming flight operations to Pakistan, with Sharjah’s national airline continuing its regular service.
Although Pakistan reopened its airspace after the recent ceasefire with India on Saturday, flight operations remain disrupted. Over 150 flights have been cancelled due to ongoing logistical challenges and uncertainty.
On Sunday alone, 45 flights were cancelled from Karachi, including 39 international, 38 from Lahore, 40 from Islamabad, 11 from Peshawar, 10 from Multan, and 6 from Sialkot, according to aviation sources.
In contrast, more than 25 flights operated from major airports including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, and Quetta.
Foreign airlines have cancelled around 125 incoming and outgoing flights, affecting many international travellers. Some flights between Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad are being diverted via Quetta due to the closure of the Rahim Yar Khan air corridor, which was partially damaged in an Indian airstrike on Friday.
A notice issued by aviation authorities states that this air corridor will remain closed until 5am on May 18. As a result, flights from Gulf countries to cities like Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad are facing longer travel times.
Meanwhile, airlines are making efforts to continue Hajj flights despite challenges at some major airports.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) recently announced that the country’s airspace is fully open for all types of flights, following a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, which came after a military response by Pakistan to Indian aggression.
