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UAE travel alert: What passengers need to know about flights to India and Pakistan

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Flights between the UAE and South Asia have been significantly disrupted after Pakistan closed its airspace amid rising tensions with India. This closure has left thousands of passengers stranded, leading to a wave of flight cancellations and diversions. Travellers are encouraged to check their flight status with their airlines as the situation develops.

UAE flights affected

Several Gulf carriers, including Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai, and Qatar Airways, have cancelled or rerouted flights:

  • Emirates cancelled services between Dubai and Sialkot, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar.
  • Etihad Airways suspended Abu Dhabi flights to Karachi (EY297), Lahore (EY285) and Islamabad (EY303).
  • Flydubai suspended flights to Multan, Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot, and Faisalabad.
    Some services, including Karachi, have now resumed.
  • Etihad confirmed that three Pakistan-bound flights were forced to return mid-air to Abu Dhabi on May 6.
  • Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended all flights to Pakistan.

Global airlines reroute to avoid Pakistani airspace

International carriers are also adjusting flight paths:

  • EVA Air (Taiwan) and Korean Air have rerouted their Europe-bound flights.
  • Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, and others are flying longer detours over the Arabian Sea and Central Asia.

Airport closures across India and Pakistan

Several airports in northern India and Pakistan are closed until further notice, including: Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Dharamshala in India. Srinagar Airport has also suspended all civilian flights.

Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air have cancelled or delayed flights to and from these cities.

Air India:

Suspended services to Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot until 12 noon on May 7.
Two international flights to Amritsar have been diverted to Delhi.

SpiceJet:

Confirmed the closure of airports including Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar, warning passengers of disruptions to departures, arrivals, and connections.

IndiGo:

Flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, and Bikaner have been impacted by changing airspace conditions.

Akasa Air:

Akasa Air said flights to and from Srinagar have been cancelled. Passengers have been told to check their flight status before commencing their travel to the airport.

Pakistan declares emergency at airports

Pakistan has declared an air emergency at major airports, including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Skardu, and Peshawar, following heightened military tensions with India. The move has triggered strict security measures and caused disruptions to flight operations across the country. In response to the escalating situation, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has suspended all flights for 12 hours as a precaution.

What should travellers do?

All airlines are advising passengers to:

  • Check the airline’s website or app for real-time flight updates
  • Avoid travelling to the airport unless your flight is confirmed
  • Make a fresh booking or request a refund if your flight is cancelled

Airlines have apologised for the inconvenience and said they are monitoring the situation closely. Passenger safety remains the top priority.

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

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UAE travel update: Step-by-step guide to rebook your flydubai flight amid schedule changes

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With flydubai gradually resuming operations after recent disruptions, many travellers may need to adjust their plans. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you rebook your flight or request a refund smoothly.

Who is eligible?

If you had a booking for travel between February 28 and March 31, you can:

  • Rebook your flight within 30 days of your original travel date
  • Cancel for a full refund or travel voucher
  • Make changes without any penalties

How to rebook your flight

1. Check your flight status first
Before making any changes, visit the airline’s official website (https://www.flydubai.com/) and check if your flight is:

  • Cancelled
  • Delayed
  • Still operating

2. Go to “manage booking”
Log in using your:

  • Booking reference number
  • Last name

This section lets you view and modify your booking

3. Choose your option
Depending on your situation, you can:

  • Select a new travel date (within 30 days)
  • Keep the same destination with no extra charges
  • Opt for a travel voucher or full refund if plans change

4. Confirm changes
Once you’ve selected your new flight:

  • Review updated details
  • Confirm the booking
  • Save your new itinerary

 Important tips

  • Do not go to the airport unless your flight is confirmed
  • Keep your contact details updated to receive alerts
  • Monitor your email/SMS for updates from flydubai

When to contact support

Reach out to flydubai if:

  • You didn’t receive a notification
  • You face issues rebooking online
  • Your itinerary involves multiple connections

The rebooking process is designed to be flexible and hassle-free, giving passengers the freedom to adjust plans without stress. Staying informed and acting early will help ensure a smooth travel experience.


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Eid in UAE: Philippine missions announce holiday closure, emergency services to remain available

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The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai have announced the temporary closure of their offices on Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, in observance of Eid Al Fitr.

Despite the holiday closure, both missions reassured the public that essential assistance services will remain available, particularly for urgent cases. The embassy confirmed that its Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) section will continue operating to support Filipinos in need during this period.

Emergency Support Remains Accessible

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and other nationals requiring immediate assistance can reach out through dedicated hotlines:

Abu Dhabi – Embassy Contacts:

  • ATN (OFWs): +971 56 270 9157
  • ATN (non-OFWs): +971 50 443 8003
  • Overseas Workers Welfare Administration: +971 54 557 2121
  • Contract Verification: +971 54 725 8482
  • Consular Concerns: +971 50 813 7836

Dubai – Consulate Contacts:

  • Consular Services (passport, notarial, civil registry): +971 4 220 7800
  • ATN (non-OFWs): +971 56 501 5756
  • Migrant Workers Office: +971 50 652 6626 / +971 56 353 5558

The consulate also confirmed that emergency assistance will remain accessible via designated hotlines throughout the closure.

Normal operations at both Philippine missions will resume on Monday, March 23, ensuring services return promptly after the break.

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UAE morning alert: Daily life resumes smoothly across nation as authorities confirm safety and airports reopen

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In a powerful display of preparedness and resilience, the UAE reaffirmed its commitment to public safety as life quickly returned to normal following a precautionary alert earlier in the day.

Authorities, led by the UAE Ministry of Defence, acted swiftly in response to a potential aerial threat. Advanced air defence systems successfully intercepted and neutralised the situation, ensuring that residents across the country remained safe.

Across cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, residents reported hearing unusual sounds, but later confirmed to be the result of successful interceptions. While the alerts prompted caution, they also showcased the effectiveness of the UAE’s world-class security infrastructure.

In a reassuring follow-up message sent nationwide, officials confirmed that the situation is fully under control and that daily life can resume without concern.

Airspace operations resume

The General Civil Aviation Authority also announced that airspace operations have returned to normal, reflecting the country’s rapid recovery and operational readiness.

Beyond the swift response, what stood out most was the unity and cooperation of residents. Communities stayed calm, followed guidance, and supported one another, highlighting the strong sense of collective responsibility that defines life in the UAE.

With robust systems in place and a community that stands together, the UAE continues to be a global example of stability and preparedness.


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