Following a successful audit United Kingdom (UK) issued a cargo license to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), media reported on Wednesday.
As per the reports, the license has been issued by the UK’s transport department following a joint onsite audit of PIA by Pakistan Civil Aviation and the British team. After receiving the license, the PIA flights can now transport cargo from Pakistan to the UK.
Meanwhile, Business Recorder has reported that PIA has yet to secure the Third Country Operator (TCO) license necessary to operate direct flights between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, while a private airline has already received the approval.
As per the reports, a spokesperson for PIA confirmed that the process for obtaining the TCO license is ongoing, expressing confidence that the airline is likely to receive approval in the coming days. Once granted, PIA plans to announce its UK flight schedule within a few weeks.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Department for Transport has already granted the TCO license to a private carrier, allowing it to launch direct flights between Pakistan and the UK. The airline intends to operate Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft for the route, with a refueling stop in Türkiye before continuing to the UK.
