Commercial flight operations at Islamabad International Airport will remain temporarily suspended on Thursday due to a scheduled flypast rehearsal for Pakistan Day celebrations on March 23, according to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).
Airport sources said rehearsal drills will take place from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, during which all take-offs and landings at Islamabad airport will be halted. Flight operations are expected to remain suspended until 1:15 pm.
Aircraft already in the air have been instructed to carry additional fuel as a precaution to manage possible delays caused by airspace restrictions.
The Pakistan Airports Authority issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) confirming the temporary suspension of operations. The notice also warned that certain air routes within the Lahore Flight Information Region will be unavailable during the rehearsal exercise.
Airlines have been advised that the temporary restrictions may cause schedule disruptions.
Commercial flight operations at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi were also affected. A private airline, AirSial, held a Karachi-to-Islamabad flight at the airport due to the suspension.
Airport officials said departures from Karachi will resume once operations at Islamabad airport are restored.
Authorities said the temporary restrictions are part of preparations for the March 23 Pakistan Day flypast exercise, a key feature of the national celebrations.