Etihad Airways has announced the resumption of its flights to Pakistan starting March 6, aiming to transport passengers affected by travel disruptions caused by rising tensions in the Middle East.
The airline confirmed that operations have been restored at three major Pakistani airports including Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, and Islamabad International Airport.
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The move comes as airlines adjust operations following the escalation of the Iran–Israel conflict, which has affected regional airspace and disrupted international travel.
Global Flight Operations Also Resuming
Etihad said it will also resume flights to more than 50 destinations worldwide, including cities across Europe, the United Kingdom, and Central Asia.
The airline has finalized its schedule for the period from March 6 to March 19, aiming to ensure passengers can travel safely and efficiently despite ongoing regional challenges.
Airlines Working to Move Stranded Travelers
Along with Etihad, Emirates has resumed limited flights to major global destinations from its hub in Dubai.
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Airlines are currently working to move thousands of stranded passengers as flight operations remain restricted due to security concerns involving missiles and drone activity across parts of the Middle East.
Airspace Restrictions Continue
Large portions of Middle Eastern airspace remain closed to most commercial aviation due to security risks. As a result, authorities are relying on charter flights and limited commercial services to evacuate travelers.
According to flight-tracking service Flightradar24, traffic at Dubai International Airport nearly doubled on Thursday compared with the previous day. However, operations were still running at only about 25 percent of normal levels.
Reduced Flight Schedules in Region
Emirates said it is currently operating a reduced schedule covering 82 destinations, including major cities such as London, Sydney, Singapore, and New York.
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Meanwhile, Doha – a key regional aviation hub – remains largely closed, though a limited number of relief flights have been arranged from Oman and Saudi Arabia to assist stranded travelers.
The aviation disruptions follow escalating tensions linked to the Iran – Israel conflict, which has raised security concerns across Middle Eastern airspace.
Several airlines temporarily suspended or reduced operations in the region as governments assessed safety risks to commercial flights.
