Thai Airways Discontinues Flights Destined for Pakistan This Thursday
Thai Airways halts flights to Lahore and Karachi due to ongoing Pakistan-India tension and airspace closures. 🛬🚫
In the heat of escalating geopolitical friction, flights TG345 and TG346 between Bangkok and Lahore, as well as TG341 and TG342 between Bangkok and Karachi, have been grounded. These suspensions occurred on Thursday, leaving anxious travelers scrambling for updates.
Here's a brief rundown of the affected flights:
- TG345 departs from Bangkok at 7.50pm, arriving in Lahore at 10.30pm. The return leg, TG346, takes off from Lahore at 11.40pm, landing in Bangkok at 6.10am the next day.
- TG341 departs Bangkok at 7pm, touching down in Karachi at 10pm, while TG342 takes off from Karachi at 11.30pm, reaching Bangkok at 6.20am the following day.
THAI urges air travelers on South Asian and European routes to stay vigilant, keeping a close eye on flight details. This heads-up comes in the wake of numerous airlines redesigning their itineraries or suspending certain flights in reaction to the India-Pakistan crisis. 📝✈️
On a broader scale, airspace closures and persistent tension between India and Pakistan have left a widespread impact on the global aviation industry. Pakistan's airspace had been completely shut down after a militaristic standoff with India on May 6-7, 2025, but parts have since resumed partial operations. Major airports such as Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Karachi are up and running again, although limited airspace sections over Lahore remain closed until May 9 or 10 due to "operational reasons."
Fearing the uncertainty surrounding safe access to Pakistani airspace and airports, major international airlines, particularly from the Gulf region like Etihad Airways, Emirates, and Qatar Airways, have stopped or canceled flights to Pakistan. Select Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and Pakistani cities were canceled on May 8, although flights EY296 and EY297 to Karachi were slated to operate subject to airspace availability.
Avoiding Pakistan’s airspace for east-west routes, airlines are opting instead to reroute flights south via the Gulf of Oman and the UAE to minimize risk due to the potential for rapid escalation. In northern and northwestern India, 21 airports remain closed to passenger flights until May 10 as a precaution amid the tensions.
The situation continues to evolve, with ongoing military activity and closed airspace zones, and airlines are consistently updating schedules in response to the evolving conflict. Travelers are encouraged to keep abreast of airline and aviation authority notices for the most current status. 📣💻
- Despite the ongoing Pakistan-India tension, THAI is urging travelers on South Asian and European routes to stay vigilant, as numerous airlines are redesigning their itineraries or suspending certain flights.
- In the wake of this crisis, major international airlines like Etihad Airways, Emirates, and Qatar Airways have stopped or canceled flights to Pakistan.
- To minimize risk and avoid Pakistan’s airspace, airlines are opting instead to reroute flights south via the Gulf of Oman and the UAE for east-west routes.
- In northern and northwestern India, 21 airports remain closed to passenger flights until May 10 as a precaution amid the tensions, whilst General-news and political reporting continue to monitor the situation.
