ISLAMABAD – A sudden disruption in Pakistan’s international air connectivity left travelers worries as UAE low cost airline Flydubai suspended its flights from Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar to Dubai. While Karachi remains unaffected, the move has sparked concern among passengers as key routes face unexpected cancellations and the reasons behind the operational pause continue to raise questions across the aviation sector.
The suspension of flights until October 26 can disrupt travel and higher costs for passengers from northern Pakistan.
Dubai: Flydubai, the UAE’s leading low-cost carrier, has been a key player in Pakistan’s aviation market for over 15 years, significantly boosting affordable travel links with Dubai.
The air carrier suspended flight citing operational reasons, according to the airline’s flight inquiry system in Pakistan, leaving thousands of passengers facing sudden travel uncertainty.
Thousands of travelers now face expensive rebooking options and longer journeys, with many forced to route through Karachi or other Gulf hubs. Ticket prices on alternative carriers have surged due to reduced competition, severely affecting students, UAE-based workers, medical tourists, and families.
UAE-based low-cost carrier has, however, confirmed that its services to and from Karachi will continue without any interruption, making it the only Pakistani city still fully connected to Dubai through Flydubai operations during the suspension period.
Flydubai expanded its presence in Pakistan in recent years, began flights to Islamabad and Lahore in July 2024 and later launched operations in Peshawar in May last year, marking a significant expansion into key northern regions.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 has revealed that cancellations on major routes have already been ongoing since at least May 7, affecting Islamabad–Dubai (FZ353/FZ354), Lahore–Dubai (FZ359/FZ360), and Peshawar–Dubai (FZ375/FZ376), indicating that operational disruptions were building even before the formal suspension announcement.
Industry sources point to rising jet fuel prices as a key factor behind mounting pressure on airlines, with costs surging amid tensions linked to the US-Iran conflict. The situation has deepened concerns in an aviation sector already described as facing one of its toughest periods in years.
With the suspension now in effect, passengers from Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar face immediate travel disruptions on key routes to Dubai, while Karachi remains the only Pakistani city where Flydubai continues normal operations.
The move is expected to cause economic strain through reduced connectivity, impacting trade, remittances, and business links with the UAE. While Karachi remains unaffected and gains as the sole operational hub, cities like Lahore and Islamabad will lose direct low-cost access for nearly five months. Industry experts warn that the disruption, driven by rising jet fuel prices, highlights the vulnerability of Pakistan’s aviation sector. Passengers are urged to contact Flydubai for refunds or explore alternative flights immediately.
The airline launched operations in Pakistan in June 2010 with flights to Karachi, its 20th global destination. It quickly expanded due to strong demand, adding Sialkot and Multan in 2013, Faisalabad and Quetta in 2015.
A major push into northern Pakistan came in July 2024 with daily flights to Islamabad and Lahore. In May 2025, it became the first low-cost carrier to serve Peshawar with daily operations.
The airline operated to seven Pakistani cities: Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Multan, Quetta, and Sialkot, offering connectivity for business, family travel, medical tourism, and remittances between Pakistan and the UAE/Gulf region.
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