Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has officially resumed its direct flights to the United Kingdom after a five-year suspension, marking a major milestone in Pakistan’s aviation recovery.
The first flight departed from Islamabad to Manchester on Saturday, carrying 284 passengers. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott saw off the passengers at Islamabad International Airport, celebrating the long-awaited relaunch.
The resumption follows the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s recent approval of a Foreign Aircraft Operating Permit, clearing the final administrative hurdle. Britain had lifted restrictions on Pakistani carriers in July after verifying that Pakistan’s aviation safety standards were once again in line with international norms.
Defence Minister Asif hailed the development as “a significant step in restoring PIA’s global credibility,” noting that Pakistan had overhauled pilot licensing, training, and safety protocols since the 2020 Karachi crash that killed 97 people and triggered international bans.
Initially, PIA will operate two weekly flights between Islamabad and Manchester, with plans to expand routes to London and Birmingham in the coming months. “Direct flights will provide comfort and convenience to over 1.6 million Pakistanis living in the UK,” said a PIA spokesperson.
PIA, which has struggled with debt and operational inefficiencies, remains under government restructuring and privatisation efforts backed by an IMF-supported economic reform plan. The airline has accumulated over $2.5 billion in losses over the past decade.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had earlier lifted its own ban in November 2024, allowing PIA to restart Paris flights earlier this year before suspending them to focus resources on the UK route.
Founded in 1955, PIA was once a symbol of Pakistan’s modernisation and global reach. The latest development is seen as a hopeful revival of that legacy, a chance to rebuild confidence and restore the airline’s international reputation.
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