Pakistan is amplifying its diplomatic initiatives to reinstate direct flights operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Current negotiations are taking place with the UK Department for Transport, with expectations that flights to the UK will recommence by June 2025, as indicated in an official document.
Discussions are also ongoing with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with a delegation of American experts set to visit Pakistan next month to evaluate the viability of establishing direct flights between Pakistan and the US.
The document further underscores the significant financial challenges faced by PIA, reporting a loss of $600 million linked to a statement made by a minister during the PTI administration. This minister claimed that PIA pilots possessed fraudulent degrees and questionable licenses, which resulted in the suspension of PIA operations by the European Union (EU) and the UK.
Consequently, the US FAA downgraded Pakistan’s safety rating, leading to the grounding of 150 PIA pilots and imposing professional and financial difficulties on Pakistani pilots employed abroad.
PIA’s market share has drastically decreased from 50% to 20%, while airlines from the Gulf and UAE have expanded their market presence due to enhanced facilities provided under bilateral agreements. The national carrier’s liabilities have escalated to Rs740 billion, encompassing payments to suppliers, fuel costs, and government-backed loans.
