Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has temporarily suspended flights to key Gulf destinations in response to the ongoing security crisis in the Middle East, the national carrier announced on Saturday.
In a statement shared on its official social media account, PIA said it has halted services to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Kuwait and Doha, Qatar as the regional situation continues to evolve. The airline attributed the suspension to airspace closures and heightened risk across conflict-affected zones, urging customers to contact its call centre for updated flight information and rebooking options.
Flights bound for Saudi Arabia will continue, but have been rerouted to avoid areas affected by the crisis, the spokesperson added. The airline said it has deployed its Boeing 777 aircraft on rerouted services via longer paths to ensure safety until normal operations can resume.
The decision follows widespread airspace restrictions and closures across the Middle East after United States and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered retaliatory actions and elevated tensions across the region. Several Gulf states, including the UAE and Kuwait, announced at least partial shutdowns of their skies, forcing numerous carriers to cancel or suspend flights.
International airlines have similarly adjusted schedules or halted services to impacted destinations, reflecting deepening concerns over flight safety amid the conflict. Aviation authorities continue to monitor the situation, with resumption of suspended routes contingent on the reopening of airspace and improved security conditions.