350 Umrah Pilgrims Stranded in Lahore for 3 Days After Foreign Airline Cancels Flight

Lahore, February 20, 2026: Around 350 Umrah pilgrims have been left stranded in Lahore for three consecutive days after a foreign airline abruptly cancelled their flight to Jeddah, with the airline management remaining completely unresponsive to the distressed passengers.
The pilgrims were scheduled to depart from Allama Iqbal International Airport on Wednesday when their flight was suddenly cancelled — even after boarding passes had already been issued. Passengers were informed that the aircraft had developed a technical fault and were subsequently transferred to hotels, where they have remained ever since.
Frustrated by three days of silence from the airline, the stranded pilgrims staged a protest at their hotel, demanding immediate answers and an alternative flight arrangement. The pilgrims stated that not a single representative from the airline’s management has reached out to address their concerns or provide any clarity on the situation.
Adding to their distress, hotel bookings previously made in Saudi Arabia have also been cancelled, resulting in financial losses for the already troubled travelers.
The affected pilgrims have appealed to Pakistani authorities and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to intervene urgently and facilitate their departure to the holy sites before further delays jeopardize their Umrah plans.