In a significant move amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Turkish Airlines has announced the cancellation of all scheduled flights to Islamabad and Lahore for May 8 and 9, 2025. The decision comes in the wake of India's recent military strikes against Pakistan, which have heightened fears of a broader conflict in the region.
Turkish Airlines (THY), the national carrier, cited safety concerns as the primary reason for the cancellations. According to the airline's official statement, "Due to ongoing political unrest in Asia, our flights to and from Islamabad and Lahore scheduled for Thursday, May 8, and Friday, May 9, have been canceled." The specific flights affected include TK-714 (Istanbul to Lahore), TK-715 (Lahore to Istanbul), TK-710 (Istanbul to Islamabad), TK-711 (Islamabad to Istanbul), TK-750 (Istanbul to Islamabad), and TK-751 (Islamabad to Istanbul).
The cancellations follow a series of missile strikes launched by India that reportedly killed 26 people and injured at least 46 others, according to Pakistani officials. These military actions were described by India as targeting terrorist hideouts linked to a deadly bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir that claimed the lives of 26 tourists. However, Pakistan has condemned these strikes, asserting that civilians, including women and children, were among the casualties and labeling the actions as "naked aggression."
In response to the airstrikes, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that his country’s air force retaliated by downing five Indian fighter jets, including at least three French-made Rafales. "Up to 80 Indian jets were in the air. Our brave forces chased them off and brought five down," Sharif declared, praising the military's swift response.
As the situation escalates, Prime Minister Sharif's Security Cabinet condemned the Indian strikes, declaring them acts of war and granting the military full authorization to respond. A statement from Sharif’s office asserted, "These illegal acts are blatant violations of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Under international law, they constitute acts of war."
In light of the heightened hostilities, Turkish Airlines has advised affected passengers to check their travel plans through the airline’s official website or mobile app. Passengers holding reservations for May 7-9, 2025, are permitted to change their bookings free of charge if they act before May 21, 2025. Unused tickets will be fully refunded, while partially used tickets will see the remainder reimbursed. Furthermore, tickets can be rebooked for travel through July 31, 2025, without penalties or fare differences.
The situation has prompted a flurry of diplomatic activity. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has engaged in urgent discussions with national security advisers from both India and Pakistan, while the United Nations, European Union, and key regional players, including China and Russia, have called for restraint and immediate de-escalation. China, a close ally of Pakistan, emphasized the need for both nations to exercise maximum restraint.
Saudi Arabia has also taken diplomatic steps, dispatching its deputy foreign minister to Islamabad, while Qatar’s prime minister reached out to Prime Minister Sharif in a bid to help avert a wider conflict. Inside Pakistan, diplomats are working diligently between the prime minister’s office and the foreign ministry, seeking a diplomatic resolution to what many fear could spiral into a fourth war between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Historically, India and Pakistan have engaged in three wars since their independence in 1947, two of which were primarily over the contested region of Kashmir. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is closely monitoring developments, with fears mounting over the potential for further military escalation.
In addition to the airline's cancellations, Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed the temporary closure of airports in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad due to operational reasons. The facilities are set to remain closed until 6 p.m. local time (1 p.m. GMT) on May 8, 2025. Flight tracking services have reported that flights operated by Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines were seen rerouting back to Istanbul late on May 6, 2025, as the situation deteriorated.
While Turkish Airlines has taken precautionary measures, the broader implications of the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan remain uncertain. The airline has not provided a specific timeline for when flights to these Pakistani destinations will resume, indicating that the situation is fluid and being closely monitored.
As diplomatic efforts continue and tensions remain high, travelers are urged to stay informed about the latest developments. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance of peace in the region and the potential consequences of military actions.
