ISLAMABAD – Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on late Monday suspended all scheduled flights to several Gulf nations, including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, due to rising military tensions across the region.
In a statement released Monday, the national carrier cited safety concerns amid escalating hostilities involving Iran, Israel, and U.S. forces in the Middle East. The airline said flight operations will resume once conditions stabilize and airspace restrictions are lifted.
The move follows the closure of UAE airspace earlier today, with Bahrain also implementing similar restrictions. These developments come amid a rapidly evolving conflict in the region, after Iran launched missile strikes targeting U.S. military bases in Iraq and Qatar in retaliation for reported U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Qatar confirmed a direct strike on the U.S.-run Al Udeid Air Base, calling it a “flagrant violation of sovereignty” and warning of potential retaliation. The Qatari government has also closed its airspace, advising U.S. and U.K. nationals to shelter in place.
Air traffic monitoring sites show vast portions of Middle Eastern airspace—including over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and parts of Israel—now devoid of commercial flights. Airlines have begun diverting or suspending operations due to the increased risk, further straining already limited international corridors, particularly those vital for Europe-Asia travel.
These routes had grown in importance following the closure of Russian and Ukrainian airspace amid the ongoing war in Eastern Europe.
US President Donald Trump is attending a high-level National Security Council meeting amid rising global concern. Earlier comments by Trump questioning the possibility of regime change in Iran have sparked debate and added to the geopolitical uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Israel has declared it is conducting large-scale strikes on Iranian territory, including what it described as precision attacks on access routes to the Fordo nuclear site and the Evin detention center in Tehran.
The international community has called for restraint, with aviation authorities across the region monitoring the situation closely. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for updates and follow guidance from local embassies.
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