emirates7 - A number of flights between Pakistan and the UAE were cancelled early Wednesday morning, with some facing major delays, as tensions between India and Pakistan escalated overnight following airstrikes.
In a statement sent to Khaleej Times, Dubai-based flydubai spokesperson said “flights to Pakistan on May 7 have been suspended and some of our flights have been diverted due to the closure of the Pakistan airspace except Jinnah International Airport, Karachi (KHI) that is still operating.
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and amend our flight schedule accordingly,” said the airline spokesperson, adding: “Passengers are advised to contact the flydubai Contact Centre in Dubai at (+971) 600 54 44 45, the flydubai travel shop or their respective travel agent for their rebooking or refund options.”
Affected Emirates flights
Due to the closure of northern Pakistan airspace and airports following military activity in the region, the following Emirates flights to/from Pakistan have been cancelled:
EK618/May 6: Dubai ‑ Sialkot
EK619/May 6: Sialkot‑ Dubai
EK622/May 6: Dubai‑Lahore
EK623/May 6: Lahore‑Dubai
EK624/May 6: Dubai‑Lahore
EK625/May 7: Lahore‑Dubai
EK612/May 6: Dubai – Islamabad
EK613/May 7: Islamabad ‑ Dubai
EK636/May 6: Dubai‑Peshawar
EK637/May 7: Peshawar‑Dubai
The spokesperson for Emirates told Khaleej Times: “Passengers booked on connecting flights to Lahore, Sialkot, Islamabad and Peshawar will not be accepted to travel until further notice. Customers on cancelled flights must not proceed to the airport in Pakistan.”
“(Meanwhile,) Emirates flights to and from Karachi are not impacted and will be operating as per schedule. Customers impacted by flight cancellations must contact their booking agents for alternative travel options or contact us if booked directly with Emirates. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. We continue to closely monitor the situation in the region and are in contact with relevant authorities regarding developments,” the spokesperson added.
Cancelled Etihad flights
Fights between Abu Dhabi and Pakistan have also been affected. “As a result of the closure of Pakistani airspace, Etihad Airways flights — EY284 (Abu Dhabi to Lahore), EY296 (Abu Dhabi to Karachi), and EY302 (Abu Dhabi to Islamabad) — which were en route to Pakistan on 6 May, have returned to Abu Dhabi,” said the spokesperson for the UAE flag carrier.
The following flights on May 7 have been cancelled:
EY297 from Karachi to Abu Dhabi
EY285 from Lahore to Abu Dhabi
EY303 from Islamabad to Abu Dhabi
“Additionally, some other services may be rerouted to avoid the affected airspace, potentially resulting in extended flight times. Our teams are actively working to assist affected guests with their travel arrangements, including rebooking and alternative options where possible. The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority. Etihad is working closely with the relevant authorities to monitor the situation and take appropriate action. We regret any inconvenience caused and appreciate our guests’ patience and understanding during this evolving situation.” added the Etihad spokesperson.
Etihad customers due to travel are advised to check the status of their flight on etihad.com, the Etihad mobile app, or by contacting the Etihad Airways contact centre on +971 600 555 666 (UAE).
Meanwhile, major European airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways, have earlier rerouted their flights to avoid Pakistani airspace.
Air France, in a statement to CNN, said it has suspended flying over the South Asian country until further notice because of the “recent evolution of tensions between India and Pakistan”.
Lufthansa, Germany’s flag carrier, meanwhile, confirmed to Reuters that it was “avoiding Pakistani airspace until further notice.”
Despite significantly impacting flight durations and operational costs, the airlines said the rerouting is a precautionary response to the heightened security risks in the sub-continent.
UAE-India flights normal
Flights between Dubai and India via flydubai have not yet been affected.
"Please note that our flights to India are operating on schedule," the spokesperson for flydubai confirmed to Khaleej Times.
In a statement sent to Khaleej Times, Dubai-based flydubai spokesperson said “flights to Pakistan on May 7 have been suspended and some of our flights have been diverted due to the closure of the Pakistan airspace except Jinnah International Airport, Karachi (KHI) that is still operating.
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and amend our flight schedule accordingly,” said the airline spokesperson, adding: “Passengers are advised to contact the flydubai Contact Centre in Dubai at (+971) 600 54 44 45, the flydubai travel shop or their respective travel agent for their rebooking or refund options.”
Affected Emirates flights
Due to the closure of northern Pakistan airspace and airports following military activity in the region, the following Emirates flights to/from Pakistan have been cancelled:
EK618/May 6: Dubai ‑ Sialkot
EK619/May 6: Sialkot‑ Dubai
EK622/May 6: Dubai‑Lahore
EK623/May 6: Lahore‑Dubai
EK624/May 6: Dubai‑Lahore
EK625/May 7: Lahore‑Dubai
EK612/May 6: Dubai – Islamabad
EK613/May 7: Islamabad ‑ Dubai
EK636/May 6: Dubai‑Peshawar
EK637/May 7: Peshawar‑Dubai
The spokesperson for Emirates told Khaleej Times: “Passengers booked on connecting flights to Lahore, Sialkot, Islamabad and Peshawar will not be accepted to travel until further notice. Customers on cancelled flights must not proceed to the airport in Pakistan.”
“(Meanwhile,) Emirates flights to and from Karachi are not impacted and will be operating as per schedule. Customers impacted by flight cancellations must contact their booking agents for alternative travel options or contact us if booked directly with Emirates. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. We continue to closely monitor the situation in the region and are in contact with relevant authorities regarding developments,” the spokesperson added.
Cancelled Etihad flights
Fights between Abu Dhabi and Pakistan have also been affected. “As a result of the closure of Pakistani airspace, Etihad Airways flights — EY284 (Abu Dhabi to Lahore), EY296 (Abu Dhabi to Karachi), and EY302 (Abu Dhabi to Islamabad) — which were en route to Pakistan on 6 May, have returned to Abu Dhabi,” said the spokesperson for the UAE flag carrier.
The following flights on May 7 have been cancelled:
EY297 from Karachi to Abu Dhabi
EY285 from Lahore to Abu Dhabi
EY303 from Islamabad to Abu Dhabi
“Additionally, some other services may be rerouted to avoid the affected airspace, potentially resulting in extended flight times. Our teams are actively working to assist affected guests with their travel arrangements, including rebooking and alternative options where possible. The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority. Etihad is working closely with the relevant authorities to monitor the situation and take appropriate action. We regret any inconvenience caused and appreciate our guests’ patience and understanding during this evolving situation.” added the Etihad spokesperson.
Etihad customers due to travel are advised to check the status of their flight on etihad.com, the Etihad mobile app, or by contacting the Etihad Airways contact centre on +971 600 555 666 (UAE).
Meanwhile, major European airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways, have earlier rerouted their flights to avoid Pakistani airspace.
Air France, in a statement to CNN, said it has suspended flying over the South Asian country until further notice because of the “recent evolution of tensions between India and Pakistan”.
Lufthansa, Germany’s flag carrier, meanwhile, confirmed to Reuters that it was “avoiding Pakistani airspace until further notice.”
Despite significantly impacting flight durations and operational costs, the airlines said the rerouting is a precautionary response to the heightened security risks in the sub-continent.
UAE-India flights normal
Flights between Dubai and India via flydubai have not yet been affected.
"Please note that our flights to India are operating on schedule," the spokesperson for flydubai confirmed to Khaleej Times.