Islamabad: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced the temporary suspension of its flights to several key destinations in the Gulf region, including Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Dubai. The national flag carrier cited escalating regional tensions as the reason for this precautionary measure.
The decision comes amidst a volatile situation in the Middle East, characterized by recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, retaliatory Iranian missile attacks on U.S. bases, and subsequent airspace closures by several Gulf nations. While U.S. President Donald Trump announced a “complete and total” ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Tehran has denied any formal agreement, indicating a conditional halt to its military response.
PIA has advised all affected passengers to contact its call centre at 021-111-786-786 for updated flight information and assistance with rebooking on alternative flights. The airline emphasized that passenger safety and operational security remain its top priorities during this period of heightened uncertainty in the region.
This temporary suspension, alongside similar actions by other international carriers, highlights the significant disruption to air travel caused by the ongoing conflict and the cautionary approach being adopted by airlines to ensure the safety of their operations and passengers. While some reports indicate that airspace in certain Gulf countries like Qatar and Bahrain has reopened, the situation remains fluid, and airlines are adjusting schedules accordingly.
