Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has temporarily suspended flights to several Gulf nations as a safety precaution amid rising tensions in the Persian Gulf region.
According to a statement from the airline, flights from Pakistan to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Dubai have been cancelled due to the increasing risks associated with the evolving conflict-like situation in the area.
“The safety of our passengers remains our top priority,” a PIA spokesperson stated. “We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused by these cancellations, but such measures are necessary given the current circumstances.”
The airline assured that normal flight operations to the affected destinations will resume once the regional situation stabilizes.
Passengers with bookings on the cancelled flights have been advised to stay in contact with the PIA call centre for the latest updates. The airline’s reservations department has begun rebooking affected passengers on alternate available flights.
“We apologise for the disruption this may cause,” the statement added, “but ensuring the safety and security of our travellers is paramount.”
All passengers have been urged to confirm their flight status before traveling to the airport.
Meanwhile, PIA has launched a special operation to facilitate the return of Pakistani nationals stranded in Iran due to regional airspace closures.
A PIA flight departed from Peshawar to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, on Tuesday evening to aid the evacuation. With support from the Pakistani embassy, 150 Pakistanis were transported from the Iranian city of Mashhad to Ashgabat, from where they will be flown back home via a special flight.
Following official directives, PIA also announced that additional special flights will be scheduled to ensure the safe repatriation of more citizens affected by the ongoing regional crisis.
