Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) gets ready to start US flight operation
Pakistan International Airlines
(PIA) is preparing to resume flights to New York, pending approval from the
United States. The airline plans to operate these flights using its fleet of
six Boeing 777 aircraft.
This move follows the recent lifting
of the European Union’s ban by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA),
which had previously restricted PIA's operations to Europe. The airline now
hopes to receive similar approval from U.S. authorities. PIA is already set to
resume flights to Paris, Milan, and Manchester, and is considering adding
Copenhagen, Oslo, and Amsterdam in the near future. Before the EASA ban, PIA
served various European destinations including Birmingham, Bradford, Barcelona,
and London.
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US Operations History and Prospects
On July 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) imposed a ban on
PIA, halting its flights to the U.S. This decision followed a similar
restriction by the European Union. The airline had already ceased direct
flights to the U.S. before the COVID-19 pandemic, ending over 50 years of
service. At its peak, PIA operated flights to Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), New
York (JFK), and Washington D.C. (IAD). However, in the years leading up to the
suspension, PIA had struggled with operational challenges, including rerouting
flights through Manchester, where passengers faced additional security checks.
This operational model reportedly cost the airline $12 million annually, while
it operated only two weekly flights to New York.
Despite the suspension, PIA had been
preparing to restart U.S. services. The airline underwent a series of security
audits, passing most of them. Plans to resume nonstop flights were already in
the works in late 2019, with a projected restart in May 2020. However, the
COVID-19 pandemic severely affected global air travel and delayed these plans.
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The Road Ahead
PIA is now looking forward to a potential return to New York and other U.S.
cities, should the U.S. grant approval. The airline has allocated six Boeing
777s for flights to the U.S., Europe, and the UK. Before the pandemic, PIA
operated flights to 23 international destinations across 14 countries,
including North America. However, many of these routes remain suspended, and
the airline currently operates a reduced network.
The resumption of flights to New
York and other U.S. cities could provide PIA with an important revenue boost,
especially as the airline moves forward with plans to privatize. The lifting of
the EASA ban after four years could be a positive sign for the airline’s
financial recovery and its ability to expand its international reach. The large
Pakistani diaspora in the U.S. would likely ensure strong demand for these
flights, helping PIA regain its foothold in the competitive transatlantic
market.
Source: https://aviationa2z.com/