Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced it will resume flights to Europe starting January 10, with Paris as its first destination, after the European Union aviation authorities lifted a suspension on the carrier. The EU had halted PIA’s operations in June 2020 over concerns regarding Pakistan’s aviation safety standards, particularly after a plane crash revealed issues with pilot license validity.
PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that bookings for the Paris flight, operated by a Boeing 777, will open on December 9. The airline also plans to seek approval from the UK’s Department for Transport to restart flights to British cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham.
The EU ban, imposed alongside the UK’s restrictions, resulted in a significant revenue loss of 40 billion rupees ($144 million) annually for PIA. Despite this, the airline holds 23% of Pakistan’s domestic market share but faces stiff competition from Middle Eastern carriers with larger fleets and broader international routes.
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