ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) officially resumed its direct flight services to the United Kingdom on Saturday after a five-year suspension, marking a critical milestone in the national carrier’s efforts to restore its international network.
The resumption follows the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s issuance of a Foreign Aircraft Operating Permit to PIA earlier this month, which cleared the final administrative hurdle. This development came after Britain lifted its restrictions on Pakistani carriers in July, a ban that was initially imposed in the wake of a tragic 2020 PIA Airbus A320 crash in Karachi and subsequent concerns over pilot licensing.
“A PIA flight will depart for Manchester today, inaugurating this renewed connection,” an airline spokesperson confirmed.
The service restoration was formally announced by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, who stated, “We have finally planned for the first flight to UK (Islamabad to Manchester & back) on 25 Oct 25, God willing with a weekly frequency of 02 flights.” The airline has also secured the necessary Third Country Operator (TCO) approval for UK operations.
Strategic Expansion and Diaspora Benefits
The relaunch begins with two weekly flights between Islamabad and Manchester. According to the airline’s strategic plan, this initial phase will be followed by the resumption of services to Birmingham and London.
The Pakistani high commission in London emphasized the significance of this reconnection, stating, “PIA’s resumption to the UK will facilitate the more than 1.7 million Pakistani diaspora to travel conveniently to Pakistan.” The move is also expected to bolster economic ties with Britain, Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, with annual bilateral commerce valued at approximately £4.7 billion ($5.7 billion).
Privatization and Financial Context
The revival of UK flights occurs against the backdrop of the Pakistani government’s push to privatize the loss-making airline. This initiative is a key component of a broader reform agenda for state-owned enterprises under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan program. Over the past decade, PIA has accumulated losses exceeding $2.5 billion, placing a significant strain on public finances.
The reinstatement of UK services follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) lifting of its suspension in November 2024, which allowed PIA to briefly operate flights to Paris. However, the airline suspended those European routes in recent months to reallocate its resources toward the strategically vital UK market. PIA remains barred from operating flights to the United States.
BY: The Times Union
