LAHORE: The Lahore Gulf flights cancelled on Tuesday included services from Allama Iqbal International Airport to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, airport sources said.
The cancellations affected travellers heading to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, two of the busiest routes from Punjab’s capital.
Lahore Gulf flights cancelled: which flights were hit
According to airport sources, the cancelled flights included a private airline’s flight XY318 to Riyadh. Two Saudi Arabian Airlines flights, SV743 and RX676, were also cancelled.
Pakistan International Airlines flight PK725 to Dammam did not operate either. Airblue flight G9 855 to Ras Al Khaimah was cancelled as well.
Passengers have been advised to check the latest flight status with their airlines before leaving for the airport. The advice aims to spare travellers unnecessary delays and long waits at the terminal.
The reasons for the cancellations have not been officially confirmed, and further details were still awaited.
Strikes on Riyadh airport behind the disruption
The cancellations come in the wake of repeated strikes on Riyadh airport, which have thrown regional air travel into disarray over the past week.
The airport’s closure was extended as Saudi Arabia completed safety checks after weekend strikes by Yemen’s Houthis. A fresh strike on the airport killed a Pakistani national, underlining how close to home the conflict has come for Pakistanis working in and travelling to the Gulf.
Riyadh was struck again as Terminal 4 caught fire, and a Saudi-led coalition has vowed a decisive response to what it called the worst attack on the kingdom in a decade. A Houthi missile aimed at the Saudi capital was intercepted on Monday night.
With the Gulf’s busiest airports operating under repeated threat, airlines are adjusting schedules to protect aircraft and passengers.
What this means for Pakistani travellers
The Gulf routes matter enormously to Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis work in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and Lahore is one of the main departure points for labour, family visits, and Umrah travel.
Cancelled flights cause real hardship. Workers risk losing jobs if they arrive late. Families lose money on missed connections. Umrah pilgrims travel on fixed schedules that are hard to rearrange.
Airlines usually rebook affected passengers on later flights, but the current uncertainty makes planning difficult. Travellers with urgent plans should contact their airlines directly rather than relying on third-party booking sites.
Travel agents in Lahore said demand for Gulf seats had already softened this week, as passengers grew nervous about flying into the region.
What happens next
No official statement has been issued by Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority or any of the affected airlines so far. Airport officials are expected to share an update once the schedule for Wednesday is finalised.
If the strikes on Gulf targets continue, more cancellations could follow. For now, passengers are urged to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport, as first reported by ProPakistani.
FAQs
Which flights from Lahore to the Gulf were cancelled?
Flights cancelled on Tuesday included XY318 to Riyadh, SV743 and RX676, PIA flight PK725 to Dammam, and Airblue flight G9 855 to Ras Al Khaimah, according to airport sources.
Why were the Lahore Gulf flights cancelled?
The cancellations came amid regional tensions following repeated strikes on Riyadh airport. The exact reasons have not been officially confirmed by the airlines or the Civil Aviation Authority.
What should affected passengers do?
Passengers should check the latest flight status with their airline before leaving for the airport. Airlines typically rebook cancelled passengers on the next available flight.
