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UAE airlines resume flight operations to Pakistan after ceasefire with India
Etihad said they will 'continue to monitor developments closely in coordination with the relevant authorities'
- PUBLISHED: Sat 10 May 2025, 7:19 PM UPDATED: Sun 11 May 2025, 9:33 AM
Some UAE airlines resumed their flight operations to and from Pakistan after the country announced reopening its airspace following an agreement on a ceasefire with India.
The ceasefire was reached after days of heightened escalations with India since New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor on May 7.
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The truce started at 5pm IST (3.30pm UAE time) on Saturday, India’s foreign ministry said.
The UAE, for its part, welcomed the announcement of the ceasefire. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, express his hope “that this step will contribute to enhancing security and stability in the South Asian region.”
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Etihad to operate as normal
Flights between the UAE and Pakistan via Etihad are currently planned to operate as normal on Monday (May 12), subject to any further changes, the spokesperson for the Abu Dhabi-based carrier confirmed to Khaleej Times on Saturday.
Etihad also said select services will resume to operate on Sunday. The following daytime services on May 11 are scheduled to operate:
EY300 / EY301 – between Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport and Islamabad International Airport
EY294 / EY295 – between Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport and Karachi Jinnah International Airport
EY288 / EY289 – between Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport and Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport
The following evening services on May 11, however, have been cancelled:
EY296 / EY297 – between Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport and Karachi Jinnah International Airport
EY302 / EY303 – between Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport and Islamabad International Airport
“Guests transiting through Abu Dhabi to connect to cancelled flights will not be accepted for travel from their point of origin unless they have made separate onward travel arrangements from Abu Dhabi,” said the Etihad spokesperson.
The flight update comes shortly after both India and Pakistan agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire."
Etihad said they will “continue to monitor developments closely in coordination with the relevant authorities. This remains an evolving situation and further changes or disruptions may occur.”
Emirates resumes services
Following the reopening of Pakistan's airspace, Emirates has also recommenced its regular scheduled operations to and from Pakistan starting with the following flights:
EK600/601 on May 11— Dubai‑Karachi‑Dubai
EK618/619 on May 11—Dubai‑Sialkot‑Dubai
EK622/623 on May 11—Dubai‑Lahore‑Dubai
EK612/613 on May 12—Dubai‑Islamabad‑Dubai
EK636/EK637 on May 13—Dubai‑Peshawar‑Dubai
Emirates added: “Customers booked on connecting flights to Pakistan will be accepted to travel. (They) must contact their booking agents for alternative travel options or contact Emirates directly.”
Air Arabia
Air Arabia also announced resuming its operations to Pakistan on May 11, noting that the decision remains subject to the actual situation.
Customers with existing bookings on these flights will be notified directly and may contact the company's call centre for assistance, it said on X. Those who booked through travel agencies are advised to contact their agents to check for available alternatives.
Pakistan airspace reopened
"Pakistan's airspace has been fully reopened for all types of flights," said a Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) statement issued on Saturday after US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire.
The airspace closure had been in place since April 24, when Pakistan barred access to all Indian-owned and Indian-operated airlines.
Immediate ceasefire
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed on Saturday that India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and will soon begin formal talks on a broad range of issues at a neutral venue.
“Pakistan and India have agreed to a "ceasefire with immediate effect,” Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also announced on Saturday.
