Karachi, March 14, 2026: The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Saturday directed airlines operating from the country to depart with the minimum required fuel due to supply constraints linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
In a fresh Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), the authority warned of disruptions in the availability of Jet A-1 fuel, citing the prevailing regional situation as the main cause.
According to the advisory, airlines have been instructed to uplift as much fuel as possible from foreign airports to help manage domestic shortages. The notice regarding jet fuel supply will remain effective until March 31, the PAA said.
The warning comes days after Pakistan sharply increased the price of jet fuel used by commercial aircraft. Prices were raised by Rs154 per litre — one of the steepest hikes in recent years — pushing the rate from Rs188.93 to a record Rs342.37 per litre, an increase of about 82 percent.
The surge followed the recent escalation involving the United States, Israel and Iran, including attacks on Iranian targets and Tehran’s subsequent announcement of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.
Temporary airport restrictions
In a separate NOTAM, the PAA also announced temporary restrictions on commercial flight operations at Islamabad International Airport and Allama Iqbal International Airport for March 16.
The authority said six sectors of the Lahore Flight Information Region would be temporarily closed on that day.
As part of the restrictions, commercial aircraft will not be able to land or take off from Islamabad International Airport between 8:30am and 10:30am on March 16.
The notice further instructed aircraft captains to ensure additional fuel reserves, warning that flights already airborne during the restricted period may be required to remain in holding patterns before landing at Islamabad airport.
