UAE airlines extend Pakistan flight suspensions amid India-Pakistan tensions

UAE Airlines Extend Pakistan Flight Suspensions Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Conflict

Dubai: Emirates and Etihad Airways have extended their flight cancellations to and from Pakistan due to the prolonged closure of Pakistani airspace, a consequence of the rising tensions and military conflict between India and Pakistan.

In a fresh travel advisory, Emirates announced that it would suspend operations to all destinations in Pakistan until May 12, citing “continued uncertainty surrounding access to Pakistan’s airspace and airports.” The cancellations include services between Dubai and key cities such as Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, and Sialkot. Some return flights on May 13 are also affected.

Passengers are strongly advised not to proceed to the airport and are instead encouraged to contact their travel agent or Emirates support to explore rescheduling or alternative travel arrangements. Among the impacted routes are multiple services on the Dubai–Lahore–Dubai sector from May 10 to May 13, and several Dubai–Islamabad–Dubai flights during the same period. Flights between Dubai and Sialkot, Peshawar, and Karachi are also cancelled from May 10 through May 13.

Emirates further noted that passengers with connecting flights to Pakistan would not be accepted for travel until further notice.

Similarly, Etihad Airways, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, confirmed the cancellation of all scheduled flights to and from Pakistan on May 10. This includes routes linking Abu Dhabi with Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi. The airline also clarified that transit passengers heading to Pakistan via Abu Dhabi would not be accepted for travel from their point of origin unless they had independent onward arrangements from Abu Dhabi.

Etihad and Emirates are both actively assisting impacted travelers with rebooking and offering appropriate substitutes. As the situation develops, the airlines continue to work closely with aviation and government officials.

Escalation of the India-Pakistan Conflict

Following the fatal April 22 incident in Pahalgam that killed 26 Indian tourists, tensions between India and Pakistan have drastically increased, leading to the latest interruptions in air travel. In response, India launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 7, carrying out missile strikes targeting what it identified as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab province.

Pakistan has strongly condemned the strikes, labelling them an “act of war” and reporting multiple civilian casualties. Following a series of confrontations, including drone incursions and cross-border artillery bombardment along the Line of Control in Kashmir, the two countries accused one another. Both sides have suffered casualties as a result of these occurrences, which also compelled the evacuation of populations from border areas that were deemed risky.

There may be more modifications to air operations as long as the geopolitical climate is unstable. It is recommended that travelers who intend to visit or pass through the area be abreast of any flying advisories and government alerts.