KARACHI: Pakistan has resumed flight operations to the Gulf region following the reopening of airspace over Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain, aviation sources confirmed on Tuesday.
The development comes after the temporary suspension of operations by national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) late last night due to escalating tensions in the region.
PIA has now restored its Gulf-bound flights; however, delays ranging from five to thirteen hours are still expected in departures.
According to flight schedules, a total of 32 flights from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and other airports across the country have been cancelled, including 14 Qatar Airways flights.
Airline sources added that 55 flights — both arrivals and departures —have been delayed at airports in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and other cities.
While Saudi Arabia and the UAE did not close their airspace last night, several flights had to be diverted to alternate airports due to the deteriorating situation in the Gulf.
Bahrain and Kuwait resumed operations earlier, followed by Qatar later in the night, paving the way for partial restoration of services.
