International flight operations between Pakistan and Gulf countries is under strain ahead of Eid ul Fitr 2026.
Hundreds of flights have been cancelled in recent days due to the Iran US Israel and Pakistan Afghanistan tensions. This has left many people waiting for updates from their preferred airlines.
Additionally, the flight prices have also surged. Here you can see the latest updates on multiple international airlines.
Saudi Arabian Airlines
These flights seem to be the most stable. Services to and from Saudi Arabia are continuing. The airline is using longer routes with Boeing 777 aircraft to avoid restricted airspace.
Etihad Airways
The airline recently operated limited services. This includes flight EY300 from Abu Dhabi to Islamabad.
Emirates
Scheduled flights are officially suspended until 23:59 UAE time on March 4. A small number of repatriation flights are operating for passengers with priority bookings.
flydubai
The airline is attempting a gradual return with limited flights. Recent inbound services to Dubai included flights from Islamabad, Multan and Sialkot.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
The national carrier has suspended most scheduled flights to the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait until further notice.
Qatar Airways and Oman Air
These airlines have reported many cancellations. More than 300 regional flights were cancelled due to the closure of airspace in parts of the Middle East.
Read more: See latest updates on PIA flight operation current status
Major gulf airlines: current operational status
Emirates has suspended all regular flights to and from Dubai until March 4. Only a few repatriation flights are running for passengers with existing bookings.
Qatar Airways has temporarily stopped flights because of airspace closure. Passengers with confirmed tickets between February 28 and March 10 can change their dates for free or get a full refund.
Etihad Airways started limited flights on March 2. Tickets issued on or before February 28 can be rebooked for free for travel through March 10.
flydubai is running a few special flights to help stranded passengers. Flight schedules are being announced gradually.
International flights cancelled
A total of 116 flights from airports in Pakistan to Middle Eastern destinations have been cancelled, according to the current updates.
Thousands of passengers have been affected because of this. The cancelled routes include flights to the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and other countries.
At Jinnah International Airport, 32 flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain were cancelled.
Islamabad International Airport saw 28 cancellations. Allama Iqbal International Airport had 20 cancellations. Bacha Khan International Airport had 16 cancelled flights.
Other affected airports include Multan International Airport, with 10 cancelled flights.
Faisalabad International Airport had four cancellations. Quetta International Airport reported two cancelled flights.
The affected airlines include Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, PIA, Airblue, flydubai, Qatar Airways and Fly Jinnah.
Aviation officials said the cancellations were due to the closure of airspace in several Middle Eastern countries.
