Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is preparing to resume flights to Europe within the next 10 days, with initial routes planned for Manchester and Paris, according to sources.
Preparations for the immediate resumption of direct flights to Mian and Paris are already complete, pending final approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Flight bookings will commence once the marketing department finalizes the schedule and completes arrangements at these international stations.
Prior to the EASA ban, PIA offered services to various European destinations, including Barcelona, Birmingham, Bradford, and London, in addition to the newly prioritized cities. The airline is also looking to reintroduce flights to Copenhagen, Oslo, and Amsterdam.
Beyond Europe, PIA is eyeing the resumption of flights to New York, contingent on receiving permission from the United States. As part of its efforts to rebuild its global network, six Boeing 777 aircraft have been designated for operations to Europe, the UK, and the US.
In a significant development for Pakistan’s aviation sector, EASA officially lifted the ban on Pakistani airlines, including PIA, on Friday, allowing them to resume direct flights to Europe. This decision ends a three-year suspension that began in 2020 due to licensing and safety concerns.
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Defense and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif welcomed the announcement, stating, “We have undergone numerous audits over the years. In the most recent audit, Pakistani airlines were rated better than many global carriers, highlighting our improved safety standards and operational excellence.”
