Jeddah-Lahore PK-842 departs for Lahore from Karachi.
Flights to Dubai, Istanbul see varied schedules.
PA-401 departs from Lahore for Karachi.
KARACHI: Following an eight-hour suspension due to heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, flight operations at several airports, including Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi, have begun to return to normal.
According to aviation sources, multiple flights have resumed from both major airports. At Karachi airport, two international flights and one domestic flight operated today, signalling the gradual restoration of services.
From Lahore, the first flight to Karachi — PA-401 operated by a private airline — has departed. Meanwhile, international flights from Karachi saw varied schedules. PK-607 bound for Dubai departed ahead of time, while TK-709 for Istanbul was delayed.
Additionally, Jeddah-Lahore flight PK-842, which had landed in Karachi due to escalation, was sent onward to Lahore this morning.
Despite resumption of airport operation, the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) has suspended its regular flight operations for 12 hours.
On the other hand, Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) sources said Islamabad’s airspace is open for flights.
Furthermore, the aviation sources said that Islamabad Airport’s flight operation has also been restored as four private planes landed here.
Meanwhile, the PAA has issued a new Notam (Notice to Airmen), announcing the reclosure of Lahore’s airspace for various flight routes.
The Notam states that the routes within Lahore’s airspace will be closed for 24 hours.
Whereas, the Notam also confirmed the resumption of flight operations at the Islamabad Airport.
It said incoming flights will be permitted to arrive in Islamabad after coordination and assistance from the Air Traffic Control.
Pakistan had suspended flight operations at major airports following India’s attack inside the country on Tuesday-Wednesday night.
Pakistan armed forces shot down five Indian Air Force (IAF) jets, a combat drone, and destroyed brigade headquarters after India carried out missile strikes in cities of Punjab and Azad Kashmir.