Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed its operations to Europe after a four-year suspension, with its first direct flight to Paris departing from Islamabad airport on Friday. The event was marked by a ceremony attended by Minister of Aviation Khawaja Asif, PIA’s acting CEO, and other key officials.

Historic Milestone for PIA and Pakistan’s Aviation Sector

Minister Khawaja Asif called the resumption of direct flights a historic day for the government, PIA, and the Civil Aviation Authority. He praised the efforts of all those involved in making the direct flights possible, highlighting the importance of the move for overseas Pakistanis who had previously been forced to travel via connecting flights through cities like Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.

Challenges Faced by Overseas Pakistanis

The Minister took the opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by overseas Pakistanis, particularly citing a decision by former Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar, which led to the suspension of direct flights for over four and a half years. Asif criticized the lack of accountability for such decisions, which he noted had caused significant inconvenience and added costs for travelers.

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Future Expansion Plans

Looking forward, Khawaja Asif shared plans to expand PIA’s flight network further, with upcoming services to the UK and the USA. He also mentioned that the airline intends to reintroduce flights to cities like Copenhagen, Oslo, and Amsterdam as part of its broader strategy to rebuild its European network. Additionally, PIA is in talks to resume services to New York, pending approval from the United States.

Aircraft Fleet and European Network Expansion

To support its European and transatlantic operations, PIA has allocated six Boeing 777 aircraft. This move is part of the airline’s broader effort to expand its global reach, following the lifting of a ban on Pakistani airlines by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The ban, imposed in 2020, was lifted after improvements in safety standards, marking a significant milestone for Pakistan’s aviation industry.

Conclusion

The resumption of PIA’s direct flights to Paris is a major step forward for the airline and Pakistan’s aviation sector. With plans for further expansion to key international destinations, the national carrier is working to restore its global network and provide more convenient travel options for Pakistanis abroad.