KUALA LUMPUR (May 7): Batik Air has cancelled several flights to and from Pakistan and India on Wednesday (May 7) and Thursday (May 8), citing heightened tensions between the two countries following recent military escalations.
Flight OD131, departing Kuala Lumpur for Lahore, Pakistan, at 5.35pm, and its return leg, OD132, scheduled to leave Lahore at 9.35pm, have been cancelled, the airline said in a statement.
Similarly, flight OD271 from Kuala Lumpur to Amritsar, India, departing at 6.40pm, and its return flight OD272 from Amritsar at 11.05pm will also not operate.
“The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority,” the airline said.
“Batik Air is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with relevant authorities and will provide timely updates as new information becomes available,” it added.
The flight cancellations come in the wake of escalating conflict between India and Pakistan, following militants' attack in Indian Kashmir which killed over two dozen people last month.
The tit-for-tat saw India conduct targeted military strikes in nine sites in Pakistan, which has denied any involvement in the April attack. Pakistan, in response, said it has shot down five Indian jets, according to reports.