Key Takeaways
• Qatar Airways suspended flights to Pakistan and India from May 10-12, 2025 due to sudden military tensions.
• Pakistan’s airspace is closed until at least 12pm May 11; 32 Indian airports remain shut until 5:29am May 15.
• Over 430 Indian and 147 Pakistani flights canceled; major airlines reroute or suspend services through both countries.
Qatar Airways has announced a temporary halt on flights to Pakistan 🇵🇰 and India 🇮🇳 due to a sudden rise in political tension between the two countries. This suspension is part of larger changes made by airlines because both countries have put restrictions on their airspace. These actions affect not just flights directly between Pakistan and India, but also many routes that pass over these countries.
The news has left many travelers worried and looking for answers, especially those planning to fly with Qatar Airways in the coming days. Understanding what happened, why these decisions were made, and what comes next can help travelers, airlines, and governments find ways forward during this difficult period.
Flights Halted: What’s the Situation Right Now?
On May 10, 2025, Qatar Airways made it official—they would extend their suspension of flights between their hub in Doha and several cities in Pakistan and India. The flights affected were those meant to run on May 10, 11, and 12, 2025.
The Pakistani cities affected include:
– Karachi (KHI)
– Lahore (LHE)
– Islamabad (ISB)
– Multan (MUX)
– Peshawar (PEW)
– Sialkot (SKT)
The Indian city directly affected is:
– Amritsar (ATQ)
According to Pakistan’s aviation authority, their airspace will stay closed for all flights until at least 12pm on Sunday, May 11, 2025. On the other side, India’s Airports Authority has announced that 32 airports in the north and west of the country will be closed until 5:29am on May 15, 2025. That means disruption for both domestic and international flights passing through or into these regions.
The flight suspensions are not just limited to Qatar Airways. Major airlines like Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Flydubai have also paused or adjusted their flights to avoid the restricted airspace.
The Cause: Recent Tensions After Military Action
The decision to close airspace and cancel flights came after a sharp increase in tension between India 🇮🇳 and Pakistan 🇵🇰. On the night of May 6 to May 7, 2025, India carried out what it called “Operation Sindoor.” This was a set of missile strikes against what India described as terrorist locations in Pakistan and the region of Kashmir controlled by Pakistan.
These strikes were in response to an attack in April 2025 in Indian-administered Kashmir, where terrorists killed 26 civilians. India said its actions were meant to target those responsible for the deadly attack. In reaction, Pakistan quickly shut down its airspace for 48 hours for all flights, and this closure has now been extended past that original time.
As a result, flights that would normally pass through the region or land in either country have been either canceled or rerouted, with no firm end date in sight.
Impact on Air Travel: Cancellations and Longer Journeys
The closure of airspace and airports in both countries has had a large impact on international travel and airline operations. Shortly after the closures began, Flightradar24, a service that tracks flights, reported that over 430 flights were canceled in India, and 147 were canceled in Pakistan.
Beyond just Qatar Airways, many other international and national carriers have found themselves changing routes or canceling services. Airlines that often pass through these countries, like Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways, have needed to change their flight paths to avoid the closed areas. Some flights have been suspended completely in order to stay safe.
When airlines need to avoid large sections of airspace, it often means longer flight times and more fuel burned. For passengers, this can mean delays, missed connections, and even cancellations. Those needing to travel to or from Pakistan and India now face a lot of uncertainty.
Travelers around the world and people in the Indian subcontinent are now watching closely, as many have families, business ties, or urgent needs in the region.
What Should Travelers Do Next?
For anyone with upcoming tickets booked through Qatar Airways to Pakistan or India, there are a few clear steps to take to handle this situation:
- Check Updates: Go to the Qatar Airways official website to see the most up-to-date information about flight schedules, changes, or resumption of services.
- Contact Support: If your travel plans are affected, contact Qatar Airways’ customer service center at +974 4144 5555. They can provide direct help and guidance on rebooking, refunds, or alternative routes.
- Monitor Government Advice: Look at travel advisories issued by your own country. Your government may offer advice or even warnings about traveling to certain locations, especially near the border or conflict areas.
- Consider Alternatives: If your trip is essential, you might have to look at other routes, different airlines, or modes of travel. This could mean transit through other countries or even postponing your trip.
- Prepare for Changes: The situation is changing quickly. Be ready for more delays, new cancellations, or even the possibility that your flight may be rescheduled at short notice.
Authorities are also urging extra caution for those who still need to travel. For example, the Foreign Office warns against all but essential travel within five miles of the international border between Pakistan and India. It also advises against travel within 10 miles of the Line of Control, which is the border in Kashmir held by Pakistan.
The Bigger Picture: How This Affects More Than Just Airlines
The effects of this flight suspension go far beyond the airlines themselves. Here are a few groups that are feeling the impact the most:
Travelers and Their Families
For many people, especially those with family ties in both countries, this pause means they cannot visit loved ones, attend important family events, or return home from work or study. Some may be stranded abroad, waiting for flights to resume.
Workers and Students
Millions of workers and students from Pakistan 🇵🇰 and India 🇮🇳 travel for jobs or education both within the region and internationally. Many rely on airlines like Qatar Airways because Doha is a large hub with connecting flights all over the world. When these flights stop, it interrupts studies, jobs, and even the ability to start new work or educational opportunities.
Business and Trade
Both countries have strong business, medical, and trade links with the Middle East and beyond. Many international businesses operate in both Pakistan and India, often using Qatar Airways as a connector. The sudden stop in service means delays in shipments, canceled meetings, and economic setbacks for people on both sides.
Airlines and Airport Staff
Airlines like Qatar Airways, as well as airport workers and ground staff in both countries, now have to deal with sudden changes in their schedules. This not only affects their workload but could also impact their pay and job stability if flights remain suspended for longer.
International Relations
Any closure of airspace has a ripple effect. When Pakistan and India close their skies, international airlines need to change their routes, affecting flights even for people who have no connection to either country. It can mean longer journeys, higher costs, and new worries about travel safety.
Other Airlines Make Changes
Qatar Airways is not alone. Several other airlines have either paused or changed their flight schedules. Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Flydubai all changed how they fly between their home countries and South Asia. European and Asian airlines, such as Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways, have had to take new, longer routes or halt some of their services altogether.
This makes it clear that the effects are global, reaching people who may never have thought about Pakistan or India when booking their trips. Asia-Europe flights, for example, often pass over Pakistan, so even these flights can face delays and cancellations.
Historical Context: Not the First Time
This is not the first time that air travel between and over Pakistan 🇵🇰 and India 🇮🇳 has been affected by political or military disputes. In the past, tensions between the two countries have sometimes led to flight suspensions or airspace closures. However, the size and reach of international air travel today make even small disruptions much bigger problems for travelers everywhere.
How Long Will This Last?
At present, no one can say exactly when normal flight operations will return. Pakistan says their airspace will stay closed at least until midday on May 11, 2025, and India’s airport closures are set to last until the early morning of May 15, 2025. However, these timelines could change. Everything depends on the state of relations and decisions by government officials.
Travelers are advised to keep up to date by using Qatar Airways’ official sources and observing travel updates from their respective governments.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, situations like this can change quickly, and airlines will try to keep passengers informed through official channels as soon as decisions are made.
What Comes Next: Tips for Managing Travel During Disruption
If your plans have been affected or you expect future travel trouble, here are a few helpful tips:
- Stay Flexible: Be ready for ongoing changes, including possible flight rescheduling.
- Plan Ahead: If you must travel, try to book flights with flexible change or refund options.
- Check Your Insurance: Make sure your travel insurance covers events like flight delays or cancellations due to political events.
- Direct Contact Is Best: Rely on the main websites or customer service numbers for updates, such as the Qatar Airways site, rather than travel agents or third-party sources.
- Think About Alternatives: If airlines continue to avoid the region, look into flights that pass through alternative airports or countries, even if travel time is longer.
Final Thoughts
The sudden suspension of Qatar Airways flights between Doha, Pakistan 🇵🇰, and India 🇮🇳 shows how quickly international travel can be affected by events far beyond the airport. With the closure of important airspace and airports, many people find their travel plans up in the air. The most important thing right now is to stay informed and use official channels for the latest news.
Keeping in touch with Qatar Airways and checking government travel advice will help travelers react quickly if things change. The hope is that as tensions calm, flights and normal life will resume. Until then, travelers, workers, students, and families must pay close attention and make plans that can adjust to the fast-changing situation.
For more official information on ongoing restrictions, travelers should visit the Qatar Airways Flight Status page or check their national government’s travel alerts. It’s always better to get updates straight from the source.
Learn Today
Airspace → The portion of the atmosphere controlled by a country, especially regarding air traffic and flight permissions, vital for international routes.
Operation Sindoor → The May 2025 Indian military missile strike targeting alleged terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Line of Control → The de facto border separating Indian-administered and Pakistan-administered regions of the disputed territory of Kashmir.
Flight Rerouting → Changing a plane’s scheduled flight path to avoid restricted areas, often resulting in longer travel times and delays.
Travel Advisory → Official government communication providing guidance and warnings about traveling to certain areas, especially amid conflict or instability.
This Article in a Nutshell
Qatar Airways has grounded flights to Pakistan and India following recent military conflict. The closures, effective May 10-12, affect thousands of travelers and multiple cities. Other airlines face similar disruptions. Passengers should monitor official updates, remain flexible, and check alternative routes, as ongoing tensions and airspace restrictions leave future travel uncertain.
— By VisaVerge.com
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• Pakistan Slams Airspace Shut Until May 11
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• Lahore Airport reopens as Pakistan Airports Authority resumes flights
