Flight operations at major airports across Pakistan—including Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad—have gradually resumed after an eight-hour suspension caused by a sharp escalation in military tensions with India. The temporary halt in operations followed Indian missile strikes that targeted multiple cities in Punjab and Azad Kashmir on Tuesday-Wednesday night, prompting swift retaliatory action from Pakistan’s armed forces.
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Aviation sources confirmed that the shutdown affected several key airports, with flights grounded amid growing security concerns. However, by the following morning, flight activities had begun to normalize, with multiple flights successfully departing from Karachi and Lahore.
Karachi and Lahore Airports Lead Resumption
In Karachi, two international flights and one domestic flight were among the first to resume service. Flight PK-607, bound for Dubai, departed earlier than scheduled, while TK-709 to Istanbul experienced delays. At Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, flight PA-401—a private airline service to Karachi—was the first to take off after the suspension was lifted.
One notable recovery involved flight PK-842 from Jeddah to Lahore, which had been diverted to Karachi due to the hostilities. It continued its journey to Lahore early in the morning, further indicating that operations were stabilizing.
Islamabad Airport Restores Operations
Islamabad’s airspace, which had also been shut down, was reopened, and flight activity resumed. Aviation authorities reported that four private aircraft successfully landed at the airport. The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed the reopening, though operations remain under close monitoring.
However, a newly issued NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) from the PAA stated that certain routes within Lahore’s airspace would be closed again for 24 hours, suggesting that while some normalcy has returned, caution remains.
PIA Suspends Flights Despite Reopenings
Despite these positive developments, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced a 12-hour suspension of its regular flight services. The national carrier has not resumed full operations as it continues to assess the evolving situation. The temporary suspension was put in place as a security precaution and reflects the broader instability in the region.
Military Escalation Behind Air Travel Disruption
The root cause of the disruption was India’s missile attacks on Pakistani territory, which triggered the emergency grounding of flights. In response, Pakistan’s military launched retaliatory strikes, shooting down five Indian Air Force (IAF) jets, including a combat drone, and destroying a brigade headquarters. These developments sharply intensified tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors and had direct consequences for civilian infrastructure, including aviation.
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Although air travel is gradually returning to normal, tensions between India and Pakistan remain high. The military confrontation has cast a shadow over regional stability, with authorities in both countries maintaining elevated alert levels. Aviation officials have indicated that further flight delays or diversions could occur depending on how the situation unfolds.