KARACHI: The airspace of around 10 countries has remained closed or severely disrupted for the past 11 days due to the ongoing war and military attacks involving Iran, the United States and Israel. As a result, more than 40,000 flights have been cancelled during the period, including around 1,600 flights originating from or scheduled to operate from Pakistan.
On Tuesday, a total of 64 flights were operated from various airports in Pakistan to destinations in the Middle East, particularly the Gulf countries. However, 86 flights were cancelled due to continuing airspace restrictions and operational uncertainties.
For the first time since February 28, about 12 flights departed from Bahrain Airport shortly after midnight on Tuesday. These aircraft were reportedly seen entering Saudi airspace in a convoy formation, although the final destinations of the planes were not disclosed. According to sources familiar with the operations, the group also included two cargo aircraft.
Meanwhile, special flight operations from Doha, Qatar, continued for the third consecutive day to manage the backlog of passengers and cargo. Around 16 flights were dispatched from Doha on Tuesday, while 12 flights arrived in the Qatari capital from different countries.
Sources said that Qatar Airways has also scheduled special flight operations for the next two days to facilitate stranded travellers and restore connectivity. In addition, flight operations in Dubai partially resumed and reached nearly 60 percent of normal capacity. Out of 1,150 scheduled flights, around 600 operated on Tuesday.
Similarly, in Abu Dhabi, about 110 out of 480 scheduled flights operated during the day, while in Sharjah, 90 out of 220 flights were able to take off. At Ras Al Khaimah Airport, around 60 percent of the total 34 scheduled flights operated despite the ongoing regional tensions.
Overall, approximately 3,000 flights from airports in Doha, Kuwait, Iraq, Damascus, Jordan, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Dammam, Iran, Bahrain, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah have been cancelled during the crisis. With these cancellations, the total number of flights suspended over the past 11 days has exceeded 40,000.
