Flight operations at Islamabad International Airport were temporarily stopped on Friday, March 13, 2026, after reports of drones and unusual air activity over the capital’s airspace. The pause affected both take‑offs and landings for a brief period before flights were allowed to continue as normal.
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), the airport issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) that suspended operations for a short time due to what officials described as “operational reasons.” Soon after, the authority said the airspace was safe and cleared, and flights resumed on schedule with normal arrivals and departures.
Local security sources told the media that a suspicious drone was detected in the airspace over Islamabad and was shot down by authorities as a safety measure. There was some speculation about where the drone came from, but officials have not confirmed its origin.
Social media was filled with posts about loud noises and aircraft activity before the suspension. Some commenters said fighter jets were involved, while others reported hearing explosions, but there is no confirmation of a direct drone strike from government sources.
Airport staff and airline officials asked passengers to check with their carriers for the latest flight information during the disruption.
