KARACHI – Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has temporarily suspended its flight operations to several Gulf countries due to rising regional tensions, the national flag carrier confirmed on Monday.
According to a statement issued by the airline’s spokesperson, flights from Pakistan to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Dubai have been halted as a precautionary measure in light of growing instability across parts of the Persian Gulf.
“The safety and security of our passengers is our foremost priority,” the spokesperson said. “We regret the inconvenience caused, but these cancellations are necessary given the current circumstances.”
The decision follows escalating conflict in the Gulf region, particularly amid increased military activity between Iran, Israel, and the United States, raising serious concerns over airspace safety.
PIA assured passengers that services will resume once the security situation stabilizes. In the meantime, affected travellers are being contacted by the PIA Reservations Department, which is working to rebook flights or provide alternatives where possible.
Passengers have been advised to check their flight status through the PIA call centre or website before travelling to the airport.
“We sincerely apologise for the disruption,” the airline added. “However, the safety of our travellers cannot be compromised.”
Special Flights for Stranded Pakistanis in Iran
Separately, PIA has launched special repatriation operations to bring back Pakistani nationals stranded in Iran, after Iranian airspace was closed amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.
On Tuesday evening, a PIA aircraft departed from Peshawar for Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, to facilitate the evacuation of 150 Pakistani citizens who had earlier been transported from Mashhad, Iran to Ashgabat with assistance from Pakistan’s embassy.
These individuals will now be flown back to Pakistan via a special flight from Ashgabat. PIA, following government directives, has confirmed that additional repatriation flights will be arranged if needed to ensure the safe return of all affected citizens.
