Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced the launch of a new direct flight service from Lahore to Paris, scheduled to commence on June 18, 2025. The route will operate once a week, further strengthening PIA’s connectivity to Europe.
The national carrier already runs two weekly flights from Islamabad to Paris. With the introduction of the Lahore-Paris route, PIA aims to enhance travel options for passengers and increase foreign exchange earnings through expanded international operations.
This development comes as part of PIA’s broader revival strategy. The airline resumed flights to Europe earlier this year after a nearly five-year suspension and has been operating profitably since March 2024.
Meanwhile, the federal government has formally launched the privatization process for PIA. Prospective investors have been invited to submit their applications to the Privatization Commission by June 3. Each applicant is required to pay a non-refundable fee of $5,000 or Rs. 1.4 million.
As part of the privatization plan, the government is offering between 51 percent and 100 percent of its shares in the airline, signaling a major transition aimed at improving efficiency and long-term sustainability through private sector participation.
