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DUBAI: Air travel between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has resumed, with flights currently departing from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah airports for several cities in Pakistan.
According to UAE aviation officials, major airports in the Emirates have resumed operations for Pakistan-bound aircraft. Dubai Airport authorities have confirmed planned flights to Karachi, Lahore, Sialkot, Peshawar, and Islamabad.
The first flight to Islamabad is scheduled to depart on May 12, while service to Peshawar will commence on May 13.
Flights from Abu Dhabi to Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore are also operating. However, officials stated that certain flights from Abu Dhabi to Pakistan have been postponed, and travelers should check with airlines or airport customer service for the most up-to-date information.
All flights from Abu Dhabi are anticipated to resume their usual schedules by May 12.
Sharjah Airport has also restored service to Pakistan, with the Sharjah national airline maintaining its regular flights.
Despite the complete restoration of Pakistan's airspace following the pause in Pakistan-India combat on Saturday, aviation operations across the nation remained severely interrupted, with more than 150 flights canceled due to lingering uncertainty and logistical challenges.
According to aviation sources, scores more flights were in limbo. On Sunday alone, 45 flights from Karachi (39 international), 38 from Lahore (32 international), 40 from Islamabad (36 international), 11 from Peshawar, 10 from Multan, and 6 from Sialkot were canceled, according to the official flight schedule.
In comparison, more than 25 planes depart from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, and Quetta.
Major foreign airlines have cancelled over 125 inbound and outgoing flights, causing considerable disruption for international travelers. Many flights between Karachi and Lahore or Islamabad are being redirected through Quetta owing to the shutdown of the Rahim Yar Khan air corridor.
According to a Notam released by aviation authorities, Rahim Yar Khan's air route would be suspended until 5 a.m. on May 18. Flights from Gulf nations to towns like Lahore, Multan, and Faisalabad are increasingly taking longer owing to diversions.
On Friday, an Indian airstrike caused minor damage to the airport.
Meanwhile, many airlines are attempting to guarantee that Hajj operations continue despite operational issues at key airports.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said yesterday that the country's airspace was completely restored for all types of aircraft.
The news came after US President Donald Trump stated that India and Pakistan had agreed to a cease-fire following Pakistan's military response to Indian aggression.
