Airlines in Turmoil: 27 Flights Cancelled and 28 Delayed Across Asia—Emirates, Gulf Air, Iran Air, and PIA Grounded by Weather Conditions—What Passengers Can Expect and How to Navigate the Travel Chaos!

Published on December 10, 2025

Asia’s skies have been disrupted in recent days, as adverse weather conditions led to multiple flight cancellations. Passengers across various airlines—Emirates, Gulf Air, Iran National, and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)—are facing significant delays and cancellations, causing a major ripple effect on travel plans. From the Middle East to Southeast Asia, flights have been grounded, leaving passengers stranded in airports and tourism operators bracing for the fallout.

As the airlines work to manage the chaos, passengers are experiencing delays, missed connections, and uncertainty about when they will reach their destinations. With major airports in Asia grappling with hundreds of cancelled flights, the impact on both passenger travel and local tourism is undeniable.

Emirates: Affected Routes and Cancellations

Emirates has been particularly affected by the weather disruptions, with several flights from Dubai to European destinations being cancelled. The Emirates cancellations affected several countries and regions, particularly in Europe, as adverse weather conditions impacted airports across the continent.

Affected Airports:

• Dubai International Airport (DXB)
• Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS)

Affected Routes:

• Dubai (DXB) to Lisbon (LIS): Emirates flight EK191 and EK193 have been cancelled due to severe weather conditions in Lisbon, making it impossible for these flights to depart as scheduled.

Emirates’ cancellations have caused frustration for passengers traveling to Lisbon, as both the inbound and outbound flights have been affected. The weather in Lisbon was reported to have disrupted not only air travel but also ground transportation, adding to the distress of stranded passengers.

Gulf Air: Key Routes and Impact of Cancellations

Gulf Air has also faced challenges as a result of bad weather conditions. The airline was forced to cancel a crucial flight from Bahrain to Singapore, which affected a significant number of passengers, many of whom were bound for connecting flights across Southeast Asia.

Affected Airports:

• Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
• Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)

Affected Routes:

• Bahrain (BAH) to Singapore (SIN): Gulf Air flight GFA165 from Bahrain International to Singapore Changi was cancelled. This flight is crucial for travelers headed to other Southeast Asian countries, and the cancellation disrupted travel plans for many.

Passengers who had already reached Bahrain International Airport were left without any immediate alternatives, as the airline struggled to rebook flights or provide accommodations. Gulf Air, which typically operates numerous routes in the region, faced mounting pressure to manage the high volume of requests for assistance.

Iran National (Iran Air): Impact of Weather on Internal and Regional Flights

Iran National (Iran Air) has experienced flight disruptions on both domestic and international routes, particularly those operating from Tehran and other cities to Istanbul and Mashhad.

Affected Airports:

• Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA)
• Istanbul Airport (IST)
• Mashhad International Airport (MHD)

Affected Routes:

• Tehran (IKA) to Istanbul (IST): Iran Air flights IRA719 and IRA718 from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport to Istanbul were cancelled due to bad weather in both Tehran and Istanbul, creating a ripple effect across the route.
• Mashhad (MHD) to Kabul (KBL): Flights IRA824 and IRA825, connecting Mashhad and Kabul, were also cancelled due to severe weather conditions in the region.

Passengers bound for destinations such as Istanbul and Kabul had their travel plans upended as Iran National grappled with weather-related issues, which led to cancellations and significant delays.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA): Regional and International Routes Affected

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) faced its own set of challenges as the airline was forced to cancel flights due to inclement weather affecting key domestic and international routes. PIA’s cancellations affected both internal flights within Pakistan and international connections.

Affected Airports:

• Islamabad International Airport (ISB)
• Gilgit Airport (GIL)
• Jinnah International Airport (KHI)
• Sukkur Airport (SKZ)
• Gwadar International Airport (GWD)
• Faisalabad International Airport (LYP)
• Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Affected Routes:

• Islamabad (ISB) to Gilgit (GIL): PIA flights PIA601 and PIA603 were cancelled due to heavy rain and adverse weather conditions in Gilgit, making it impossible to land safely.
• Jinnah International (KHI) to Sukkur (SKZ): Flights PIA536 and PIA537 were grounded due to low visibility at Sukkur Airport.
• Jinnah International (KHI) to Gwadar (GWD): PIA flight PIA503 was cancelled as weather conditions in Gwadar made it unsafe for flight operations.
• Faisalabad (LYP) to Dubai (DXB): Flight PIA223 was grounded due to adverse weather affecting Dubai International.

The weather issues impacted not just local travelers but also international passengers traveling from Pakistan to the UAE, which further strained the tourism sector and disrupted cross-border travel.

The Struggle of Stranded Passengers: Chaos and Uncertainty at Major Airports

The impact on passengers was significant, as travelers faced lengthy delays, rerouting, and cancellations. Many passengers were left stranded in airports, scrambling to find alternative routes. The ripple effect also created problems for local tourism industries, with many travelers missing their planned vacations or business meetings.

Key Issues Faced by Passengers:

• Stranded at Airports: Passengers were left without timely updates on new flight schedules, causing frustration.
• Flight Rerouting: Some passengers had to take alternative routes, resulting in longer travel times and additional costs.
• Missed Connections: Many passengers missed connecting flights, which further delayed their travel.
• Accommodation Strain: With many flights grounded, hotels near airports became overbooked, causing additional inconvenience for travelers.

Devastating Blow to Local Tourism: How Flight Cancellations Are Shaking Destinations Across Asia

The tourism industry in the affected countries took a hit, with local businesses, hotels, and tourist attractions feeling the impact. For instance, Dubai and other tourist hotspots saw a decrease in visitor numbers, while regions in Pakistan and Iran saw fewer domestic travelers. While cancellations and delays are an unfortunate reality in the airline industry, the consequences for local tourism were severe.

What Travelers Need to Do:

• Check Weather Forecasts: Travelers should check the weather forecast before booking flights and remain updated on cancellations.
• Rebook with the Airline: Airlines often provide options to rebook on the next available flights, which can help mitigate delays.
• Travel Insurance: Purchasing travel insurance can help mitigate financial losses due to flight cancellations.

Turning Setbacks into Opportunities: How the Tourism Industry Can Recover and Thrive After Cancellations

While the recent wave of cancellations caused significant disruption, there are lessons to be learned. Improved communication between airlines, airports, and passengers can reduce the impact of such cancellations. Enhanced forecasting and more efficient rerouting could also help travelers avoid the worst effects.

In the long term, tourism can rebound through better infrastructure, more efficient contingency planning, and collaboration between the airline industry and local tourism bodies to minimize disruption and maximize customer satisfaction.

Conclusion: Bouncing Back from Disruptions

The tourism industry, especially in the affected regions, can and will bounce back. While cancellations can have immediate consequences, they also provide an opportunity for the industry to rethink and improve its approach to dealing with such disruptions. More collaboration, better communication, and enhanced services will go a long way in ensuring that both passengers and the tourism industry can recover swiftly from any adverse weather events in the future.