Airspace closure: GCC airlines suspend flights to Pakistan

UAE-based Etihad Airways and Emirates, along with Qatar-based Qatar Airways, have temporarily suspended flights to Pakistan due to the closure of Pakistani airspace.

Read-Airlines re-route, cancel flights due to India-Pakistan flare-up

Etihad Airways announced the suspension on its website, while Qatar Airways shared the update via its official X account.

Temporary operational adjustments of our flights to/from Pakistan and India:

For updated travel schedules, please visit https://t.co/1T0MS4AJnD

For customer care, please visit https://t.co/UF4D7GOWI5

Passenger safety and security remains our highest priority.

— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) May 7, 2025

Due to the continued closure of Pakistani airspace, Etihad Airways has canceled selected flights to and from Pakistan on 8 May.

The following Etihad flights will not operate on 8 May:

• EY300 / EY301: Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport ↔ Islamabad International Airport
• EY288 / EY289: Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport ↔ Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport
• EY294 / EY295: Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport ↔ Karachi Jinnah International Airport
• EY302 / EY303: Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport ↔ Islamabad International Airport
• EY284 / EY285: Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport ↔ Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport

Flights EY296 and EY297 between Abu Dhabi and Karachi are currently planned to operate as scheduled, subject to airspace availability.

Etihad is assisting impacted guests with alternative travel arrangements. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight at etihad.com, on the Etihad mobile app, or by contacting the Etihad Airways Contact Centre at +971 600 555 666 (UAE).

This remains an evolving situation, and further changes or disruptions may occur. Etihad continues to monitor developments closely in coordination with the relevant authorities. The safety of passengers and crew remains the airline’s highest priority.

Emirates has also suspended all flight operations to Pakistan until 10 May, due to ongoing uncertainty regarding access to the country’s airspace and airports.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers,” the airline stated. “We are monitoring the situation closely and will post any operational updates on our website.” Customers can check flight status updates at the Emirates travel updates page.

The following Emirates flights have been canceled:

Dubai – Lahore – Dubai

• EK623: 08 May
• EK622 / EK623: 09 May
• EK624 / EK625: 09–10 May

Dubai – Islamabad – Dubai

• EK612 / EK613: 08–10 May
• EK614 / EK615: 09–10 May

Dubai – Sialkot – Dubai

• EK620 / EK621: 08–10 May
• EK618 / EK619: 08–09 May

Dubai – Peshawar – Dubai

• EK636 / EK637: 08–10 May

Dubai – Karachi – Dubai

• EK600 / EK601: 08–10 May
• EK602 / EK603: 08–09 May
• EK606 / EK607: 08–10 May

Customers booked on connecting flights to Pakistan will not be accepted for travel until further notice. Those impacted by cancellations are advised not to proceed to the airport. Passengers should contact their booking agents or Emirates directly to explore alternative travel options.