Hajj 2025 Flights From Pakistan and India Disrupted After Escalation

Mohammad bin Abdullah

May 7, 2025

Rising tensions between India and Pakistan triggered an 8-hour closure of Pakistan’s major airports on May 7, 2025, delaying key Hajj flights and stranding thousands of pilgrims.

A sharp escalation along the India–Pakistan border early Wednesday led to the temporary closure of Pakistan’s main airports, including those in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.

The 8-hour suspension disrupted Hajj 2025 departures, leaving thousands of pilgrims in limbo during a peak travel window.

India launched a series of missile strikes into Pakistan, referred to as “Operation Sindoor,” targeting several locations in Punjab and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

494822499 1137643188395647 4985784050964165178 n — Passengers wait at Jinnah International Airport after all domestic and international flights were cancelled in Karachi on May 7, 2025. India and Pakistan exchanged heavy artillery along their contested frontier on May 7, after New Delhi launched missile strikes on its arch-rival in a major escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours. New Delhi announced it had carried out “precision strikes at terrorist camps” at nine sites in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, days after it blamed Islamabad for a deadly at

While India asserted these strikes targeted terrorist infrastructure in response to a prior attack in Kashmir, Pakistani officials reported that the attacks struck civilian areas, resulting in casualties and damage to property, including the destruction of mosques in Bahawalpur, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli, as well as hitting a dam and residential areas in other locations like Muridke and Shakargarh.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) at approximately 2:00 AM local time, following reports of cross-border military strikes.

Grounding all flights at the country’s busiest airports until operations resumed around 10:00 AM.

The timing of the shutdown, coinciding with critical Hajj departures, caused widespread delays.

passengers wait at karachi international airport — Passengers wait outside at Jinnah International airport after all domestic and international flights were cancelled in Karachi on May 7, 2025. The death toll from Indian strikes on Pakistan has increased to eight, the country’s military spokesman said on May 7, as India fired missiles at Pakistani territory and Islamabad vowed to “settle the score”. (Photo by Asif HASSAN / AFP)

Pilgrims already inside terminals, many of them elderly, faced hours of uncertainty and limited communication. Airport staff and airlines struggled to manage congestion and provide accurate updates.

The May 7 disruption affected several scheduled flights, creating a cascading effect on the day’s itinerary.

While Indian airports remained operational, the broader escalation sparked concerns about regional airspace safety, with the potential to impact flight routes and travel times for Indian pilgrims as well.

As authorities work to clear the backlog and resume normal flight schedules, Wednesday’s disruption underscores the fragility of international religious travel in volatile geopolitical climates.

In response to the Indian attack, Pakistan’s military stated they shot down multiple Indian jets, with debris reportedly falling in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Officials remain committed to ensuring all Hajj pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia safely and without further delays.

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Mohammad bin Abdullah

A mass communication graduate from Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco. He currently resides in the UK, where he is pursuing a degree in Islamic studies. He works for The Islamic Information as a news writer.