The aviation crisis triggered by the ongoing regional war has entered its third week, with no clear timeline for the resumption of normal schedules. Thousands of passengers, including overseas workers and pilgrims, remain stranded across Pakistan as major Gulf transit hubs continue to face intermittent shutdowns and security risks.
Breakdown of Recent Cancellations
While some airports like Islamabad have resumed limited operations for “special flights,” the overall situation remains unstable.
| Airport | Cancellations (Today) | Key Destinations Affected |
| Lahore (LHE) | 14 Flights | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar |
| Multan (MUX) & Faisalabad (LYP) | 7 Flights | Sharjah, Dubai, Doha, Bahrain |
| Sialkot (SKT) | 4 Flights | Gulf-bound international routes |
| Islamabad (ISB) | Varied | Most regional routes; some Saudi flights rescheduled earlier |
Regional Airspace Status (As of March 14, 2026)
The “no-fly zone” over the Middle East has created a massive bottleneck for travel between Asia and Europe.
- Iran & Iraq: Airspace remains almost entirely closed to commercial traffic.
- UAE & Qatar: Airspace is “partially closed” with strict Permission Required (PPR) for every flight. Major hubs like Dubai (DXB) and Doha (DOH) are operating only limited “repatriation” or “special” flights.
- Saudi Arabia: Most flights to the Kingdom continue to operate but are using longer, rerouted paths to avoid the conflict zones, leading to delays and increased fuel costs.
We continue to see the consequences of vacant posts, especially as Americans try to evacuate from across the Middle East.
That lack of senior leadership at our embassies makes it harder to coordinate crisis response. (3/6)https://t.co/8PkJmeMKEJ
— Senate Foreign Relations Committee (@SFRCdems) March 13, 2026
Financial Toll and Passenger Rights
The prolonged suspension has driven up travel costs to record highs.
- Fuel Surcharges: Airlines have added $20 to $100 per leg to tickets to cover the cost of rerouting and rising jet fuel prices.
- Ticket Price Hikes: Return tickets to Saudi Arabia have jumped from Rs 125,000 to over Rs 200,000, while some UK-bound tickets have touched Rs 1 million.
- Refund Policies: Most airlines (including PIA and Flydubai) are offering full refunds or free rebooking for tickets issued before February 28, 2026. However, non-refundable hotel bookings in Gulf countries remain a major loss for travelers.
Faisalabad Flight Update (March 14, 2026)
Local aviation sources at Faisalabad International Airport report that while most Gulf-bound flights are canceled, the airport remains operational for domestic routes and technical landings.
- Flydubai (FZ-391/392): Flights to/from Dubai scheduled for today are currently listed as “Status Uncertain” or canceled.
- Air Arabia (G9-562/563): Sharjah flights are facing similar disruptions.
- Domestic (Karachi): The Karachi route (9P-810/811) is generally unaffected by the Middle East airspace closure.
Traveler Advisory: Do not head to the airport unless you have a confirmed “Special Flight” ticket and have checked with your airline via their call center (PIA: 111-786-786).
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The 15th Day Stalemate
With the US recently targeting Kharg Island and Iran threatening to target regional tech offices, aviation experts do not expect a return to “normal” schedules before late March at the earliest.
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