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In a significant development, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is gearing up to recommence direct flights to Paris next month and the United Kingdom from August 14. This announcement comes after a hiatus of four years.
During a meeting with a delegation from the Council of Economic and Energy Journalists in Islamabad, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafiz disclosed that the national carrier anticipates receiving crucial IASA clearance this month.
“Upon obtaining the clearance, we are poised to launch flights to Paris by June, followed by the reinstatement of direct flights from Pakistan to Britain’s Heathrow Airport on August 14,” asserted Hafiz confidently.
In preparation for these European and British routes, PIA has expedited maintenance and overhaul procedures for its Boeing 777 aircraft fleet. Presently, seven Boeing 777 aircraft are operational, with two more slated to join the fleet within the next two months. This will equip PIA with a total of nine Boeing 777 planes, facilitating efficient flight operations to Europe and Britain.
Hafiz emphasized that Pakistan currently holds air service agreements with 97 countries worldwide. However, due to aircraft shortages and financial constraints, international flight operations have been restricted to only 14 destinations.
“We are optimistic that passengers will opt for PIA once routes to Europe and the UK are reinstated,” expressed Abdullah, anticipating a surge in demand for direct flights from Pakistan to these popular destinations.
It is pertinent to note that direct flights from Pakistan to Britain were halted in 2020 when the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) prohibited PIA from flying to Europe and the UK. This ban was imposed as a precautionary measure following a tragic crash in Karachi in 2020 that resulted in nearly 100 fatalities and the revelation of a pilot license scandal, raising safety apprehensions.
The resumption of direct flights to the EU and UK is expected to significantly bolster PIA’s operations and facilitate convenient travel for Pakistanis residing abroad, thereby enhancing the country’s global connectivity.
