EMPTY SKIES ON RADAR AS GLOBAL AIRLINES REROUTE, CANCEL FLIGHTS AMID PAKISTAN AIRSPACE CLOSURE

From Kisho Kumari Sucedaram

BEIJING, May 8 (Bernama) -- Global air travel descended into chaos on Wednesday morning as a wave of flight cancellations and diversions disrupted routes across Asia, the Middle East and Europe following Pakistan’s airspace closure.

The shutdown, enacted on May 6, comes amid escalating tensions between rivals India and Pakistan, forcing airlines to scramble for alternative paths.

Flight tracking service Flightradar24 showed an unusual absence of aircraft over Pakistani airspace since yesterday, with major routes being diverted around the country.

Only a handful of flights were observed landing in Pakistan’s major cities around 1 pm local time, including flights from Sharjah to Islamabad, Riyadh to Islamabad and Toronto to Lahore.

Gulf carriers such as Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai and Qatar Airways have cancelled flights to northern Pakistan and Indian cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Sialkot, and Amritsar.

Etihad cancelled multiple flights on May 7, including EY297 to Karachi, EY285 to Lahore, and EY303 to Islamabad.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Air Arabia also adjusted its schedule due to the conflict, cancelling flights between Pakistan and Sharjah or Abu Dhabi.

Taiwan's EVA Air rerouted its Europe-bound flights to avoid Pakistani airspace for safety reasons, with a flight from Vienna returned to the departure airport, while another from Taipei to Milan diverted to Vienna to refuel before continuing.

International media reported that Korean Air rerouted its Seoul to Dubai flights using a southern route passing over Myanmar, Bangladesh and India, bypassing Pakistani airspace.

China Airlines cancelled three Europe-bound flights from Taoyuan – to London, Prague, and Rome – and diverted others. Flights to Frankfurt and Amsterdam were rerouted via Bangkok on May 6, while a London–Taoyuan flight diverted to Prague.

As for Thai Airways, flights to destinations in Europe and South Asia have been rerouted starting early  Wednesday.

In Malaysia, national carrier Malaysia Airlines has rerouted two flights — MH2 and MH22 — which made brief refuelling stops in Doha, Qatar, before continuing to their respective destinations — London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle in France.

The airline also suspended all flights to and from Amritsar, India, until May 9 due to the temporary closure of Amritsar Airport from May 7 to 9, citing evolving security and operational conditions.

Batik Air cancelled flights to and from Lahore and Amritsar on May 7 and 8, citing the ongoing regional situation.

AirAsia Malaysia temporarily suspended its services to and from Amritsar, India, from May 7 to May 9 following the closure of  Sri Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport.

Russian national carrier Aeroflot announced that its flights between Moscow and destinations including India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Maldives and Seychelles would also be rerouted.

In the United States, United Airlines cancelled its flight to New Delhi due to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.

According to CNA, Singapore Airlines and Scoot have avoided Pakistani airspace since May 6, using alternative routes.

Similarly, Air France and Vietnam Airlines were reported to be using alternative routes to avoid Pakistani airspace.

However, SriLankan Airlines stated that its operations remained unaffected, with no changes to its four weekly flights to Lahore and Karachi.

Amid the disruptions, many airlines around the globe have advised travellers to check for updates before heading to the airports.

Tensions between the two neighbours, simmering since last month, escalated early Wednesday with reports of cross-border airstrikes and exchanges of artillery fire along the Line of Control in the Kashmir region.

-- BERNAMA