E-Paper
Sign In
'All we want is peace': Some UAE residents cancel trips amid Karachi, Lahore airspace closure
'I just hope that things return to normal quickly. No one wants to live with this kind of tension hanging over them,' said one expat
- PUBLISHED: Sat 3 May 2025, 5:30 AM UPDATED: Sat 3 May 2025, 9:02 AM
As Pakistan partially shuts its airspace over Karachi and Lahore due to security concerns, many Pakistani and Indian expats in the UAE say they are feeling anxious and are already changing their travel plans.
From May 1 to 31, some parts of the airspace in Karachi and Lahore will remain closed daily from 4am to 8am Pakistan time (3am to 7am UAE time). While authorities say this won’t cause major disruptions to commercial flights, for many, it’s not just about flight schedules; it’s about uncertainty and fear of escalation.
Recommended For You
Adnan, a Pakistani expat in Dubai, was planning to bring his wife and children over for the summer holidays in mid-May. But after hearing about the closure and rising tensions, he rushed to change tickets.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
“I don’t want to take any chances. We are seeing escalating tensions between the nations. I feel that I should not bring my family over to visit for a few months,” said Adnan.
“Even if flights are delayed or rerouted, it's the stress and helplessness that worry me. I have asked them to come earlier so we can be together,” added Adnan. Many residents have also chosen to cancel trips to Pakistan or India.
Samina Khan, a schoolteacher based in Sharjah, was looking forward to visiting Lahore for her cousin’s wedding. But she's now postponed her travel plans. “With the way things are going, the back-and-forth between India and Pakistan, and now the airspace restriction, I just don’t feel comfortable flying right now,” said Khan.
“I have put the trip off until June, hoping things calm down by then,” added Khan.
Even those not directly flying to or from Pakistan are feeling the emotional toll.
Rahul Dhar, an Indian expat in Abu Dhabi, said these bring back uneasy memories from the past.
“It’s painful to see these tensions rise again. Many of us have friends from both sides, Indian and Pakistani, and all we want is peace. I just hope that things return to normal quickly. No one wants to live with this kind of tension hanging over them,” he said.
Travel agents say that the airspace closure is unlikely to cause cancellations, but longer flight times and fare hikes are possible.
“The early morning period affected by the closure isn’t busy for flights to Dubai. Planes will just be rerouted, which may cause minor delays,” said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism.
“We might see a small increase in fares due to operational changes, but if tensions get worse, prices could definitely go up more,” added Subair.
For now, many residents are watching the situation closely, and hoping for peace.
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.