KARACHI: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Tuesday categorically denied reports that commercial flights had been restricted, clarifying that the country’s airspace remains fully open and safe for all civil aviation traffic.
The clarification came after media reports suggested that Pakistan had partially closed its airspace to commercial flights due to security concerns stemming from the US-Iran conflict, which has disrupted flight operations across parts of the Middle East and beyond.
In an official statement, the authority said: “Pakistan’s airspace as a whole remains fully open, safe, and completely available for all civil aviation traffic, including commercial flights.
“Air traffic services continue without hindrance, and alternative routing options are available and routinely used for all affected flows.
“No restrictions have been imposed on commercial operations, arrivals, departures, or overflights across Pakistan. Our air traffic controllers and airport teams are fully operational and managing traffic normally.”
Rejecting the media reports, the PAA termed the interpretation of a recent NOTAM as “incorrect and misleading”, explaining that it was a routine operational advisory.
It added that the specified routes were closed “from ground level (GND) to unlimited altitude (UNL) due to standard operational reasons”.
The authority urged media organisations and social media users to rely on official statements and avoid speculative headlines that could create unnecessary concern among passengers and the public.
Global air travel has remained in severe disarray since Sunday as sustained air strikes forced the closure of major Middle Eastern airports, including Dubai International Airport — the world’s busiest international transit hub.
Transit hubs such as Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates and Hamad International Airport in Qatar have either been shut down or are operating under heavy restrictions, with large sections of regional airspace closed.
The disruption followed US and Israeli strikes that reportedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, plunging the Gulf region into heightened uncertainty.