Flying to Pakistan, India? Latest flight resumption updates from UAE’s Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia

Dubai: Many UAE carriers have resumed flight operations to Pakistan and India after the two countries reached a ceasefire agreement after four days of intense fighting. UAE airlines Emirates, Etihad, and Air Arabia announced early Sunday, May 11, partial service resumption of flights to Pakistan, subject to the “ongoing situation” in the South Asian country.

In a statement issued, the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) confirmed the full restoration of airspace nationwide and released an updated Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).

“All airports across the country are now available for normal flight operations,” a PAA spokesperson said. PAA has advised passengers to contact their respective airlines for updated flight schedules.

Despite the reopening, officials warned that operations may take some time to fully normalise, as several aircraft and pieces of ground equipment had been relocated to secure sites amid the escalating tensions.

On Saturday, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and other relevant aviation authorities issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across northern and western India to all civil flight operations.

The closures are effective from May 9 to May 14, extending until 5:29 am Indian Standard Time (IST) on May 15, 2025. The AAI cited "operational reasons" for this widespread disruption to air travel. The affected airports are: Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise, and Uttarlai.

There have been no official updates from AAI since this announcement on May 10. However, according to sources, many domestic and international flights have been redirected to India’s major hubs, Delhi and Mumbai. This has caused considerable flight delays to both destinations.

UAE airlines and regional carriers Qatar Airways and Oman Air cancelled scheduled operations in Pakistan after Pakistan closed its airspace on May 7. The airspace was reopened late Saturday after both countries reached a “fragile ceasefire” agreement. While fighting continued in the contested border area of Kashmir late Sunday night, the ceasefire deal continues to hold as of Sunday, May 11, 12 pm.

Emirates

Emirates has resumed its regularly scheduled flight operations to and from Pakistan following the reopening of Pakistani airspace. The Dubai-based airline will recommence services starting today, May 11, with the following flights:

Emirates has confirmed that customers with connecting flights to Pakistan will now be accepted for travel.

As for UAE’s flag carrier, the airline confirmed that all scheduled services between Abu Dhabi and Pakistan for May 10 remain cancelled. However, Etihad announced that select daytime services on May 11 are expected to operate. These include flights between Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport and:

In contrast, the following evening services on May 11 have been cancelled:

Looking ahead, Etihad currently plans for all scheduled services between Abu Dhabi and Pakistan on May 12 to operate normally, although the airline noted that this is subject to further changes. The airline also said that the situation is still evolving and further disruptions may occur. “Etihad stated it is closely monitoring developments and working with the relevant authorities,” it said.

flydubai

Dubai-based carrier flydubai confirmed plans to commence daily flights to Peshawar (PEW) from Dubai International's Terminal 2 (DXB) starting May 15. This new service expands flydubai's existing Pakistan network, which has grown since its first Karachi flights in 2010 to include Faisalabad, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Quetta, and Sialkot. The airline aims to provide more travel options for customers in the UAE and the wider region.

Air Arabia

Meanwhile, Sharjah-based Air Arabia Group said it will resume all operations to Pakistan starting today (May 11).

However, the airline did tell its passengers in a advisory that the resumption of flights depends “on the actual situation.” The following flights have resumed as of May 11.

GCC carriers

According to the updates of the leading GCC carrier, Qatar Airways, on social media channel X, the airline will continue its flight suspensions to several destinations in Pakistan and one in India.

Outbound and inbound flights from Doha's Hamad International Airport (DOH) to Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Peshawar, Sialkot, and Amritsar will remain suspended on May 10, 11, and 12. It said, “Passenger safety remains our highest priority.”

Similarly, Oman Airways said, “Due to the closure of Jinnah International Airport, flights WY323/324 on May 11 and 12 between Muscat and Karachi have been cancelled. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will share further updates as necessary.”