Karachi Airport suspends flights following a sudden and unprecedented operational halt announced by the Pakistan Airports Authority on Thursday. The temporary suspension, which lasts until midnight, comes at a time when Pakistan is grappling with heightened regional tensions, drone incursions, and significant disruptions across its aviation network.
Karachi Airport Suspends Flights
According to an official Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), all flight operations at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport have been halted due to unspecified operational adjustments. The notification, circulated to all relevant aviation stakeholders, stated that detailed information regarding the resumption of services and the reasons behind the sudden suspension would be shared as the situation progresses. The move has immediately raised concerns among travellers already affected by the recent instability in Pakistan’s airspace.
Rising Regional Tensions Behind Karachi Flight Suspensions
The timing of the Karachi flight suspension aligns with a sharp surge in hostilities between Pakistan and India. In recent days, Pakistan’s security forces have intercepted and destroyed at least 25 Indian drones that allegedly violated Pakistani airspace. According to the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR), the drones—identified as Israeli-made Harop loitering munitions—were neutralised through a combination of electronic countermeasures (“soft kill”) and direct fire (“hard kill”) mechanisms.
Debris from the downed drones was found in several cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Attock, Bahawalpur, Sangla Hill, Miano, Chhor, and areas surrounding Karachi. Authorities believe these drone incursions are part of a provocative escalation linked to broader political and military tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
ISPR spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry condemned the drone attacks as “cowardly and provocative,” accusing India of acting out of “frustration and panic” after Pakistan’s retaliatory airstrikes conducted on May 6 and 7. He further stated that Pakistan reserves the right to respond to any aggression against its sovereignty.
Cross-Border Crisis Deepens
Relations between Pakistan and India have deteriorated sharply following a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that left 22 tourists dead. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, an allegation Pakistan strongly rejected. In a retaliatory move, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and announced the temporary closure of the Wagah-Attari land crossing.
Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) strongly condemned India’s actions, warning that blocking water flow would be considered an act of war under international law. The conflict escalated further when Indian forces carried out missile strikes on six locations inside Pakistan between May 6 and 7, resulting in the martyrdom of 31 civilians and injuries to at least 71 others.
Airspace Reopened — But Chaos Continues
Despite the reopening of Pakistan’s airspace after a ceasefire agreement with India, flight operations across the country remain severely disrupted. Many domestic and international flights continued to face cancellations and delays well into Sunday, creating massive inconvenience for passengers nationwide.
At Islamabad International Airport alone, 30 flights were cancelled on Sunday, 25 of which were scheduled to be operated by international airlines. Similar disruptions were reported at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport and Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, further compounding the travel chaos.
Smaller airports in Multan, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, and Sialkot also experienced operational disruptions. Airlines reportedly prioritised flights for Haj pilgrims en route to Saudi Arabia, resulting in additional delays for routine domestic and regional flights.
PIA Struggles to Stabilise Operations
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) attempted to restore normalcy by operating 97 domestic and international flights on Sunday. However, the national carrier acknowledged that heavy passenger traffic and operational bottlenecks continue to hamper timely services.
A PIA spokesperson expressed hope that flight schedules would return to normal within two to three days, depending on the restoration of full airspace access and the response from foreign carriers.
Operational Challenges: Expert Insights
Aviation expert Qasir Ansari, who served Pakistan’s national carrier for more than two decades, explained that sudden airspace closures create complex logistical challenges for airlines. Flight scheduling involves precise coordination between aircraft availability, crew management, catering arrangements, and destination airport permissions.
According to Ansari, many international carriers employ Indian crew members. Due to current tensions, airlines may be reconsidering the deployment of Indian staff on Pakistan-bound flights, potentially contributing to delays in resuming regular operations. Ansari believes that once foreign airlines reorganise their resources, schedules could return to normal within 72 hours.
Stranded Passengers Face Heavy Losses
Many passengers have shared their frustrations over unplanned expenses and logistical complications. One such traveller, Khalid Jilani from Swat, found himself stranded in Kuala Lumpur after Pakistan’s airspace closure. His original Rs100,000 ticket from China via Malaysia became useless when the connecting flight was cancelled. Forced to buy another ticket for the same amount and pay Rs5,000 per day for accommodation, Jilani was informed he would receive only Rs25,000 in refund.
Similarly, Muhammad Imran from Sialkot, an intending Haj pilgrim, experienced a delay of over 17 hours for his flight from Lahore. He described the constant rescheduling—from 2:30 am to 2 pm, then 8:30 pm, then further delays—as emotionally exhausting.
Travel agents note that refund eligibility varies by airline and ticket type. Non-refundable tickets generally do not qualify for refunds, while flexible tickets may allow partial reimbursements.
International Flight Operations Suspended at Multiple Airports
Pakistan’s aviation infrastructure is facing challenges beyond temporary flight suspensions. Out of 151 airports and landing strips across the country, only 10 are fully active for international operations. Even major airports such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad are currently handling far fewer foreign flights compared to global benchmarks.
Meanwhile, large airports like the New Gwadar International Airport—built with significant financial investment—remain idle, with no domestic or international operations since inauguration.
A total of 43 airports cater to domestic routes, while 98 airfields are used primarily for military, emergency, or limited aviation activities.
Conclusion
The decision to halt operations as Karachi Airport suspends flights is a reflection of the intense geopolitical tensions and security concerns facing Pakistan today. With drone incursions, cross-border hostilities, and nationwide flight disruptions, the aviation sector is under immense pressure. As authorities work to stabilise the situation, travellers and airlines alike are hoping for a swift return to normalcy in the coming days.
