Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Rising Tensions in South Asia

Flight Disruptions Due to Regional Tensions

New Delhi: In light of escalating tensions following Indian military actions in Pakistan and Kashmir, numerous airlines from the UAE and the Gulf region have either cancelled or redirected their flights to India and Pakistan.

Major carriers such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways have halted services from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha to various cities in northern India and Pakistan, coinciding with Pakistan's decision to close its airspace.

Etihad Airways confirmed that some flights had to turn back mid-journey. Indian airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet also released travel advisories, indicating that airports in northern India, including Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar, would remain closed until further notice, as stated by SpiceJet on Wednesday.

Emirates has cancelled flights connecting Dubai with cities like Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot, and Peshawar, advising passengers not to head to airports in Pakistan. However, flights to and from Karachi continue as scheduled.

Etihad specified that three of its flights bound for Pakistan on May 6—EY284 (from Abu Dhabi to Lahore), EY296 (to Karachi), and EY302 (to Islamabad)—were redirected back to Abu Dhabi, with return flights from these cities also suspended.

Budget airline flydubai confirmed that while some flights were earlier suspended or diverted, operations to Karachi are still ongoing, and flights to Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan, and Sialkot have resumed. A spokesperson emphasized that passenger and crew safety remains their top priority.

International airlines have also modified their flight paths. Taiwan’s EVA Air announced adjustments to its routes to Europe to avoid conflict zones, including a flight from Vienna that returned to its departure point and a Taipei–Milan flight that was rerouted for refueling.

Korean Air has altered its Seoul–Dubai route to bypass Pakistani airspace, opting for a longer route through Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India. Thai Airways has similarly begun rerouting flights to Europe and South Asia, warning travelers of possible delays.

Additionally, Taipei Taoyuan International Airport's schedule showed that China Airlines cancelled its non-stop flight to London on Wednesday as a precaution.