Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting January 2024, beginning with Paris, after the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted a three-year ban on the airline.
The suspension, imposed in June 2020, stemmed from concerns about Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority and its ability to comply with international safety standards. The ban was prompted by an investigation into the validity of pilots’ licenses following a tragic crash that claimed 97 lives.
"We have received approval for the first flight schedule we submitted," PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan said. The airline intends to open bookings on December 9 for its inaugural flight to Paris, scheduled for January 10 aboard a Boeing 777.
PIA also plans to seek clearance from the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) to reinstate flights to key British destinations. If approved, London, Manchester, and Birmingham are expected to be the airline’s top priorities, according to Khan.
The European suspension has cost PIA an estimated 40 billion rupees ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, further straining the airline’s finances. Despite holding a 23% share of Pakistan’s domestic aviation market, PIA’s 34-plane fleet struggles to compete with Middle Eastern carriers, which dominate 60% of the region’s market due to more extensive direct flight networks.
Efforts to privatize PIA have also faced setbacks, with a recent bid falling short of expectations, leaving the airline's financial future uncertain. However, the resumption of European operations represents a key step in restoring PIA's international footprint.
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