Flydubai Suspends Flights to Pakistan, Cutting Off Key Routes to Three Major Cities
Flydubai has announced the suspension of its flights to Pakistan, a significant move that affects vital travel routes to Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar. This decision comes amid a gradual recovery in the aviation industry, following the resumption of airspace operations. The airline cited “operational requirements” for this suspension, which will take effect from October 26. According to Flightradar24, the changes will begin at the earliest on May 7.
The only remaining active route in Pakistan for Flydubai is to Karachi, which has been the airline’s longest-running service in the country. The UAE is home to approximately 1.8 million Pakistanis, many of whom rely on affordable flights to travel to northern and central regions of Pakistan. The suspension of these routes is expected to significantly reduce connectivity for the next five months, leading to increased airfares during a period already marked by high travel costs.
What Was Suspended and When?
Flydubai launched its operations to Pakistan with considerable fanfare, introducing flights to Islamabad and Lahore in July 2024, followed by Peshawar in May 2025. The airline aimed to provide a low-cost alternative to full-service carriers on the UAE-Pakistan route. However, all three routes have now been suspended less than a year after Peshawar was added to the network.
Data from Flightradar24 indicates that the flights from Islamabad to Dubai (FZ353 and FZ354), Lahore to Dubai (FZ359 and FZ360), and Peshawar to Dubai (FZ375 and FZ376) were canceled as of at least May 7. This suggests that the decision to suspend these services was made prior to the official announcement, as there were cancellations for over a week before the public statement.
The airline has advised affected passengers to monitor their flights closely, as Flydubai continues to operate with a reduced timetable. The airline has not clarified whether the suspension is linked to the regional conflict or rising operational costs. The term “operational reasons” is often used in the aviation industry without further elaboration.
Flydubai Suspended Flights: The “Operational Reasons”
The terminology used by airlines when announcing route suspensions often lacks detail. In this instance, the underlying issue appears to be related to soaring jet fuel prices. In April 2026, aviation turbine fuel prices reached an unprecedented high of over Rs 2.07 lakh per kilolitre, with fuel costs now comprising nearly 40 percent of operating expenses on affected routes. The International Air Transport Association has warned that the jet fuel crisis, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Iran, could impact the Asian aviation market most severely.
For a low-cost carrier like Flydubai, which operates on thin margins and high load factors, the significant fuel cost burden on routes already facing capacity challenges makes suspension a more viable option than continuing unprofitable operations.
Flight restrictions in UAE airspace were implemented starting February 28. Both Emirates and Flydubai suspended flights for several days during the initial phase of the conflict, while Etihad halted all flights from Abu Dhabi. According to aviation data firm Cirium, over 11,000 flights were canceled in the region during the early days of the war. Although the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority lifted flight restrictions on May 3, the normalization of cost structures has not followed suit. Recent missile and drone attacks from Iran on May 4-5 prompted the reimposition of partial airspace closures and flow-control measures.
Only Flydubai Suspended Flights, or Airlines Globally?
The suspension of Flydubai’s flights to Pakistan reflects a broader trend of retrenchment in both UAE and global aviation. Emirates is currently operating to 137 destinations across 72 countries, which is below its pre-war network of over 140 destinations. Meanwhile, Etihad is gradually increasing its services but has not yet returned to pre-disruption levels. Air Arabia is also operating limited flights from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah.
This trend is mirrored by global carriers reducing their flight offerings to the UAE. Cathay Pacific has suspended flights to Dubai and Riyadh until at least June, while Singapore Airlines has extended its suspension from Dubai until the end of May. Air Canada has also halted its Dubai flights until early September. Additionally, all flights within the Lufthansa group to Dubai have been suspended until May 31, with flights to Abu Dhabi, Amman, and Beirut suspended until October 24.
The collective actions of multiple airlines, including Flydubai’s suspension of flights to Pakistan until October 26, indicate a general assessment of the industry. A meaningful normalization of cost structures and route economics is not anticipated before the northern hemisphere winter schedule begins.
Pakistanis in the UAE
The suspension of Flydubai’s flights will have a significant impact on expatriates from Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar who relied on the airline for affordable travel options. With Flydubai ceasing operations from these three cities until late October, remaining options include Emirates, Pakistan International Airlines, and Air Arabia, all of which have higher base fares.
War-risk insurance premiums for flights between the Gulf and South Asia have doubled since late February, contributing to fare increases of 30 to 35 percent above normal levels for this time of year. The removal of Flydubai’s low-cost option from three major departure cities is expected to further elevate fares throughout the summer.
For the estimated 1.8 million Pakistanis residing in the UAE, the combination of higher fares, reduced options, and a five-month suspension of routes to some of Pakistan’s most populous cities translates to a direct and immediate increase in the cost of travel home.
Source: timesofdubai.ae
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Published on 2026-05-14 13:57:00 • By the Editorial Desk
