Pakistan’s PIA resumes UK flights after five-year ban

NN ONLINE:

State-run Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed flights to the United Kingdom on Saturday, marking its return after a five-year suspension following a fake pilot license scandal.

PIA had been banned by both the UK and the European Union in June 2020, following a deadly Karachi crash that killed nearly 100 people and revelations that several pilots held counterfeit licenses. The EU lifted its ban in November 2024 after rigorous safety audits, allowing the airline to restore its suspended routes earlier this year.

The first Boeing 777 flight from Islamabad to Manchester on Saturday symbolized PIA’s return to the UK, following months of inspections and reforms that restored confidence in Pakistan’s aviation system.

“The flight to Manchester is a remarkable beginning, but we are firmly determined to start flights to London and Birmingham next,” Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said at a ceremony at Islamabad International Airport.

Asif emphasized that direct flights are vital for the more than 1.4 million Pakistanis residing in Britain and Europe, whose remittances remain a key pillar of Pakistan’s economy. “Providing them with direct flights is both a moral and national duty. These services will save time, offer reasonable fares, and strengthen air links to their homeland,” he said.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Faisal, described the relaunch as a significant step for economic and cultural ties between the two countries. “This milestone will generate substantial revenue, boost trade and tourism, and enhance the movement of people and goods,” he said at a recent event in London.