The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has issued a categorical clarification on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, stating that Pakistan’s airspace remains “fully open, safe, and completely available” for all civil aviation traffic. The statement aims to dispel rumors of a partial airspace closure following the issuance of a routine but significant Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said on Tuesday that the country’s airspace remained “fully open, safe, and completely available for all civil aviation traffic”. https://t.co/YETAp5N7kG
— Sabena Siddiqi (@sabena_siddiqi) March 3, 2026
Understanding the NOTAM: Operational Restrictions
The PAA confirmed that while the airspace is open, specific Air Traffic Service (ATS) route segments in the Karachi (OPKR) and Lahore (OPLR) regions are temporarily unavailable.
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Effective Dates: March 3 to March 31, 2026.
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Daily Window: 09:00 AM to 03:00 PM (PKT).
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Altitude: Restricted from ground level to unlimited altitude.
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Reasoning: Officially cited as “standard operational reasons.” Aviation experts suggest these daily windows are likely coordinated with Operation Ghazab-lil-Haqq aerial sorties and strategic military drills.
Middle East Flight Crisis: Widespread Cancellations
Despite Pakistan’s airspace being open, the regional war has effectively severed air links between Pakistan and most of the Gulf. On Monday, Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) saw a total standstill in Middle Eastern traffic, with the exception of one Etihad Airways (EY300) flight from Abu Dhabi.
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Grounded Routes: All commercial flights from Dubai, Sharjah, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Muscat have been cancelled due to the closure of air corridors over the Gulf.
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PIA Strategy: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has suspended all operations to the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait until further notice.
The “Saudi Corridor”: A Vital Link
Saudi Arabia remains the only Gulf destination currently accessible via the national carrier. A PIA spokesperson confirmed that flights to and from the Kingdom are operational but subject to significant changes:
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Rerouting: Flights are avoiding conflict-hit zones, utilizing extended corridors that have increased flight times.
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Hardware Shift: To accommodate longer routes and ensure safety, PIA has deployed its wide-body Boeing 777 fleet for all Saudi-bound sectors.
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Passenger Advisory
The PAA emphasizes that air traffic controllers and airport teams are fully operational. However, given the volatility of Middle Eastern airspace, travelers are urged to confirm flight statuses directly with airlines before heading to airports.
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