Pakistani travellers planning flights through the Middle East are facing major disruptions as airspace closures across the region have triggered widespread cancellations and suspensions.
Key Gulf hubs, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Doha, have halted operations amid ongoing instability, prompting urgent advisories for passengers departing from or transiting through these airports.
Authorities have stressed that the situation is evolving rapidly, and schedules may change at short notice. Pakistanis with upcoming travel plans are advised not to go to airports without confirmed flight information and to closely monitor airline updates.
UAE Carriers: Emirates, flydubai, Etihad and Air Arabia. Emirates has suspended all flights to and from Dubai until 3 pm UAE time on March 1. Affected passengers can rebook within 10 days of the original travel date or request a full refund. Check the latest status at: www.emirates.com
flydubai The low-cost carrier has also suspended all Dubai flights until 3 pm UAE time. flydubai is assisting passengers with rebooking and refunds: www.flydubai.com
Etihad Airways Etihad flights to and from Abu Dhabi are suspended until 2 am UAE time on March 2 following a security incident near Zayed International Airport. Free rebooking and refunds are available at: www.etihad.com
Air Arabia & Sharjah have halted flights to and from the UAE, and Sharjah International Airport operations remain suspended until further notice. Updates can be found at: www.airarabia.com
Dubai Airports confirmed minor damage at DXB and a contained fire at Jebel Ali Port caused by aerial debris, but airport authorities say passenger safety remains a priority.
Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended flights to and from Doha due to an airspace closure. No resumption date has been shared. Transit passengers should check updates at: www.qatarairways.com
Saudia Airlines has cancelled flights on several routes, including Amman, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Moscow and Peshawar, affecting hundreds of departures. Check flight status at: www.saudia.com
Gulf Air has extended its cancellations, primarily impacting routes to Qatar, Israel and Kuwait. Passengers within the next 72 hours may rebook within 10 days or request refunds. More info at: www.gulfair.com
Oman Air Oman Air has cancelled services to and from Moscow (SVO), Amman (AMM) and Khasab (KHS) until further notice. Travelers should verify their booking status at: www.omanair.com
✈️ Important Travel Guidelines for Pakistani Passengers Do not travel to the airport without flight confirmation.
Check official airline websites and apps for live updates.
Emirates: www.emirates.com
Etihad: www.etihad.com
flydubai: www.flydubai.com
Air Arabia: www.airarabia.com
Qatar Airways: www.qatarairways.com
Saudia: www.saudia.com
Gulf Air: www.gulfair.com
Oman Air: www.omanair.com
Update your contact details in airline bookings.
Monitor airport notifications from Dubai Airports (www.dubaiairports.ae) and other regional authorities.
Allow extra connection time or consider alternative routes outside restricted airspace.
Contact travel agencies or airline customer service for rebooking and refund options.
With hundreds of flights now cancelled across the Middle East, aviation authorities have emphasised that passenger safety remains the top priority. However, further cancellations are possible, and travellers should remain vigilant and flexible.
For the latest flight updates and travel advisories, continue checking with official airline sources and Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority alerts.
