KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is poised to resume flights to Europe, marking its return to the region after a suspension of over four years. Starting January 10, 2025, the national carrier will operate twice-weekly flights between Islamabad and Paris on Boeing 777 aircraft. Ticket bookings will commence on December 7, 2024.
The resumption comes after the European Union lifted restrictions imposed on PIA due to concerns about Pakistan’s compliance with international aviation safety standards. While flights between Islamabad and Paris have been confirmed for Tuesdays and Fridays, the timeline for relaunching the Lahore-Paris route remains undecided.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) suspended PIA’s authorization in June 2020, following a plane crash investigation that revealed irregularities in the licensing of pilots. The incident led to a global outcry and raised questions about the oversight capabilities of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority. The ban resulted in a significant financial hit to PIA, costing the already struggling airline approximately 40 billion rupees ($144 million) annually in lost revenue.
Following the EU clearance, PIA has announced plans to seek approval from the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) to restart flights to key destinations, including London, Manchester, and Birmingham. The airline views these cities as high-demand routes and aims to reestablish its presence in the competitive European market.
Despite operating agreements with 87 countries and possessing coveted landing slots, PIA struggles to compete with Middle Eastern carriers, which dominate Pakistan’s international aviation market with a 60% share. PIA, by comparison, holds only 23% of the domestic market and operates a fleet of 34 aircraft, limiting its ability to offer direct international flights.
Attempts to privatize the state-owned airline have so far been unsuccessful, with only a single bid received that fell well short of expectations. Nevertheless, the resumption of European flights represents a crucial step in PIA’s efforts to rebuild its reputation and recover financially.
This development marks a significant milestone for Pakistan’s aviation sector as PIA looks to reestablish itself on global routes and regain passenger confidence.
