Pakistan airspace traffic rises 15pc amid Middle East tensions

2026-03-06 - 08:33

ISLAMABAD – The flight traffic passing through Pakistan’s airspace has increased by around 15 percent due to rising tensions in the Middle East, leading to higher revenues for the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA). The aviation sources said that the number of daily overflights through Pakistan’s airspace has exceeded 700 in recent days. The increase in overflying aircraft has boosted the PAA’s daily income to approximately $800,000. Before the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, around 550 to 600 flights used Pakistan’s airspace each day. Officials said the recent surge in air traffic has increased the authority’s daily revenue by nearly $150,000. Aviation experts say several international airlines have adjusted their flight routes due to security concerns in parts of the Middle East, resulting in a higher number of aircraft choosing alternative routes through Pakistan’s airspace. Meanwhile, the regional situation has also disrupted regular flight operations in some Gulf countries. After a five-day suspension, the first flight of Emirates from Dubai arrived in Karachi, bringing passengers who had been stranded due to the disruptions. The Emirates flight carried more than 300 passengers who had been waiting in Dubai since February 28 to return to Karachi. The aviation authorities said they are closely monitoring the regional situation while airlines continue to adjust routes and schedules in response to developments in the Middle East.