UAE airlines temporarily cancel some flights to Pakistan

Some flights from the UAE to Pakistan have been cancelled following cross-border clashes with India.

In a statement sent to ARN News, Etihad Airways said flights to and from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad have been cancelled on Wednesday a day after three flights were forced to return to the capital.

"Some flights may be rerouted to avoid restricted zones, potentially resulting in extended flight times," the UAE national carrier added.

Emirates Airline also confirmed in a statement that Dubai flights to and from Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar have been cancelled for a second day on Wednesday.

The carrier added that passengers booked on connecting flights to these destinations also will be impacted "until further notice".

Meanwhile, flydubai said flights to Karachi are operating to schedule on Wednesday and have resumed operations to Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan and Sialkot.

The airlines stated they are closely monitoring the situation and advised travellers to check for updates on its official websites.

ARN has reached out to flydubai for updates.

Qatar Airways have also announced the suspension of services to Pakistan on its social media platforms, citing the closure of airspace.

The airspace closure comes after India reportedly launched airstrikes on targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir earlier this week. Pakistan claims to have responded by downing several Indian fighter jets and carrying out its own retaliatory strikes.