Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has failed to obtain the crucial Third Country Operator (TCO) licence required to operate direct flights to the United Kingdom, while private carrier Airblue has been granted the permit, aviation sources confirmed.

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has issued Airblue the licence, paving the way for the airline to launch direct services between Pakistan and Britain.

PIA, in an official confirmation, admitted it could not secure the licence, dealing a fresh blow to the already struggling national carrier.

Sources cited a shortage of aircraft as a major hurdle for PIA’s UK operations.

Airblue, meanwhile, plans to deploy Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft for the route. Flights will refuel in Türkiye before proceeding to British destinations, sources added.

The development marks a significant shift in Pakistan’s aviation landscape, where private airlines are stepping in to fill the gap left by the national flag carrier’s operational and regulatory setbacks.