Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced on Tuesday that 10 domestic flights bound for Gilgit-Baltistan had been cancelled due to security concerns and restricted airspace in northern sectors, further disrupting civilian life in both countries.
According to PIA spokesperson Abdullah Khan, flights were cancelled “in order to ensure passenger safety” amid increased military activity and surveillance along the Line of Control (LoC). Cancelled routes included flights between Islamabad and Gilgit and Skardu which act as gateways into Pakistan’s mountainous northern region.
“Due to increased military alertness, airspace in the northern corridor has been partially restricted,” stated Khan. The decision was taken after consultation with both Civil Aviation Authority and relevant defense agencies. Passenger safety remains our top priority and this decision was reached as quickly as possible.”
These cancellations come a day after Pakistan’s Foreign Office revealed it had credible intelligence of an impending Indian strike within 36 hours, prompting military forces across key sectors to raise their alert levels accordingly.
Islamabad International Airport travelers expressed displeasure with sudden cancellations. Many were tourists heading toward Gilgit-Baltistan while others attempted to return home.
“My planned week-long trip to Hunza has now been rendered obsolete by threats of war,” lamented Naila Shams of Lahore. “The uncertainty is scary; flights shouldn’t be cancelled because of political conflict.
Authorities have advised passengers to remain in contact with airlines for updates, and avoid non-essential travel to affected regions until further notice. Emergency coordination units have been established at multiple airports to manage rescheduling and issue refunds.
Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority has also strengthened monitoring of international flight paths that pass through northern airspace, though no official airspace closure has yet been declared; rather, precautionary routing adjustments are being implemented as precautionary measures.
Security analysts caution of growing tensions between India and Pakistan that could result in widespread disruptions of civil aviation near border zones, with Pakistani forces remaining on high alert status while Indian troops remain on standby – leaving aviation officials on edge.
As Gilgit-Baltistan sits and waits, its skies — normally filled with tourist traffic in spring — remain strangely tranquil.