Flight operations at Islamabad International Airport will remain temporarily suspended for two hours on March 17, according to a new notice issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA). The temporary suspension will affect both arrivals and departures at the airport during the specified time period.
Authorities said the brief halt in operations will take place from 08:30am to 10:30am Pakistan Standard Time, after an earlier plan to suspend flights on March 16 was withdrawn.
In an update posted on social media, the PAA confirmed that the earlier notification regarding March 16 had been cancelled. The authority stated: “The earlier Notam regarding temporary airspace restrictions in the Lahore flight information region (FIR) and suspension of flight operations at Islamabad International Airport on 16 March (08:30am – 10:30am PKT) has been cancelled.”
The statement also clarified that normal flight operations would continue on March 16, while the new suspension will now take effect on March 17.
Temporary closure due to operational reasons
The Pakistan Airports Authority issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) explaining that certain air traffic routes within the Lahore Flight Information Region will be unavailable during the two-hour window.
The notice cited “operational reasons” for the suspension and advised airlines to prepare for possible delays. It specifically instructed arriving aircraft to “bring sufficient holding fuel to cater for delay.”
Authorities also outlined that several air traffic service route segments within the Lahore FIR will be temporarily restricted from ground level up to flight level 210, which corresponds to approximately 21,000 feet.
Such restrictions are commonly introduced for aviation safety purposes during airspace management activities or operational exercises.
Pakistan airspace remains open for civil aviation
Despite the temporary suspension at Islamabad airport, aviation officials emphasized that Pakistan’s overall airspace remains fully operational for international and domestic flights.
Earlier this month, following regional tensions in the Middle East, the Pakistan Airports Authority reassured airlines that the country’s airspace is “fully open, safe, and completely available for all civil aviation traffic.”
Officials have repeatedly stressed that short-term operational adjustments do not affect the broader functioning of Pakistan’s aviation network.
Passengers advised to stay updated
Travelers flying through Islamabad on March 17 have been advised to check with their respective airlines for updated flight schedules and possible delays.
Temporary suspensions of airport operations can lead to schedule adjustments, including delayed departures, revised arrival times or aircraft holding patterns before landing.
Aviation authorities say the brief suspension is part of routine operational planning aimed at ensuring safe and efficient management of air traffic.
Islamabad International Airport, which opened in 2018, serves as one of Pakistan’s busiest aviation hubs and handles both domestic and international passenger traffic.
