ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has temporarily suspended its flight operations to Fujairah for the next 48 hours due to the worsening security situation in the Middle East.
According to a spokesperson, PIA will, for now, operate flights to Al Ain only, as tensions in the region continue to disrupt normal air travel.
The move comes amid an ongoing conflict that erupted on February 28 following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has since launched retaliatory attacks targeting US assets and military bases across Gulf countries, prompting airlines to frequently suspend or reroute flights.
Indian carrier IndiGo has also halted operations to multiple regional destinations, including Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Dammam, with suspensions expected to continue until March 28. Earlier, the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority announced a temporary closure of the country’s airspace as a precautionary measure, though it was later reopened, according to state news agency WAM.
Security concerns have intensified following a recent attack on a Kuwait-flagged oil tanker near Fujairah, reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Additionally, on March 14, Fujairah port — a key global hub for oil storage and refuelling — was targeted.
Located along the Gulf of Oman, near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, Fujairah plays a crucial role in global energy supply. With the strait effectively disrupted due to the conflict, the port’s importance has increased significantly.
According to Kpler data, Fujairah exported over 1.7 million barrels per day of crude oil and refined fuels last year, accounting for roughly 1.7% of global daily demand.
