Islamabad, February 28, 2026 — Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Saturday announced the temporary suspension of its flights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar until Sunday evening or until the reopening of the affected regional airspaces.
The decision follows escalating regional tensions after Israel and the United States reportedly carried out airstrikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory missile attacks by Tehran on regional military bases. The unfolding situation has led to precautionary airspace restrictions across parts of the Middle East, disrupting commercial aviation operations.
In a statement, the national flag carrier said that flights to Saudi Arabia have been rerouted to avoid “conflict-hit zones” to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Pakistan Airspace Fully Operational: PAA
Earlier in the day, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed that Pakistan’s airspace remains fully operational and safe for all flight operations, despite temporary closures in neighboring regions.
Iranian authorities briefly shut Tehran’s airspace for civil aviation for several hours as a precautionary measure. According to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM A0715/26), Tehran airspace remained closed between 11:30 am and 5:00 pm Pakistan Standard Time (PKT).
“This daytime window generally witnesses limited east-west transit traffic,” the PAA noted, adding that the temporary closure had minimal impact on flights passing through Pakistan’s airspace.
Passengers Advised to Stay Updated
PIA advised passengers traveling to or from the affected destinations to stay in close contact with airline offices and check flight schedules before heading to airports. The airline said updates would be shared as soon as regional airspaces reopen and normal operations resume.
The situation remains fluid, with aviation authorities closely monitoring developments to ensure passenger safety and minimize disruption.