Pakistan Airspace Becomes Crucial Lifeline for Airlines Amid Middle East Turmoil
Despite the closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian aircraft due to bilateral tensions, Pakistan's airspace remains fully operational for other international flights
Pakistan’s airspace has become a crucial corridor for international airlines amid widespread airspace closures in the Middle East due to ongoing conflict, particularly between Iran and Israel.
The airspaces of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel remain closed, forcing airlines to reroute flights through Pakistan to maintain connectivity between regions such as North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
Major carriers like Emirates are now flying over northern and western Pakistan, continuing their routes through Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Turkey before heading west.
These regional airspace bans have disrupted one of the busiest aviation corridors, especially the closure of Iraqi airspace, which affects flights between Europe and the Gulf, causing delays and cancellations at airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Airlines including El Al, Emirates, Lufthansa, Air India, Aeroflot, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Aegean Airlines, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, and flydubai have suspended flights to or from Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan or rerouted to safer airspace corridors such as Central Asia or Saudi Arabia.
Despite the closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian aircraft due to bilateral tensions, Pakistan’s airspace remains fully operational for other international flights, handling increased traffic efficiently and without disruption.
This has positioned Pakistan as a key transit route amid the regional airspace bans, providing a vital alternative for airlines navigating the complex geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
