PIA looking to restart flights to Europe in early 2025
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced on Saturday that it will resume flights to Europe on January 10, following the European Union's decision to lift a four-year ban on the carrier. The resumption of services marks a significant step for PIA after the suspension that began in June 2020.
According to a statement from the airline, the first flight will depart from
Islamabad to Paris on January 10. Initially, PIA will operate two weekly
flights—on Fridays and Sundays—with plans to increase the frequency over time.
"We have received approval for the first flight’s schedule, and
bookings will open on December 9 for the Boeing 777 flight to Paris," PIA
spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed.
Read More Pakistan
actively seeking to reinstate PIA flights to UK
In addition, PIA officials recently met with Christopher Tibbett, Director
of AGS Airports Glasgow, to discuss the resumption of flights to the United
Kingdom, as shared on the airline's official X account.
PIA’s ban on flying to the European Union was imposed after the June 2020
crash of one of its aircraft in Karachi, which claimed nearly 100 lives. The
crash was attributed to human error by the pilots and air traffic control, and
was followed by revelations that a significant number of PIA’s pilots were
operating with fake or questionable licenses.
Despite the lifting of the European ban, PIA remains barred from flying to
the United States. The airline has vowed to strictly adhere to regulations set
by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) moving forward.
Read More Pakistani
airlines optimistic about resumption of flights to Europe
PIA has faced ongoing challenges, including financial difficulties, a
bloated workforce, unpaid debts, and a history of poor safety standards. The
government of Pakistan has announced plans to privatize the airline as part of
its broader economic reforms. However, efforts to sell the airline have faced
setbacks, with a potential buyer backing out last month after offering a much
lower price than expected.
The privatization of PIA is part of an agreement with the International
Monetary Fund (IMF), which has called for the sale of loss-making state-owned
enterprises to help stabilize Pakistan's economy.
PIA's financial struggles were highlighted in 2023, when the airline posted
a loss of $270 million, with liabilities nearing $3 billion—about five times
the value of its assets. The airline also faced several flight cancellations
last year due to an inability to afford fuel.
Read More European
Agency clears PIA in remote audit, physical audit to follow in September
Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif referred to the resumption of European flights
as a "major value addition" that could help make PIA more attractive
to potential investors.
Founded in 1955 after the government nationalized a private airline, PIA enjoyed rapid growth until the 1990s but has since faced significant challenges, including mounting debts and operational inefficiencies.
Source: Dawn