PIA looking to expand international operations, collaborations
Pakistan International Airlines
(PIA) has returned to profitability for the first time in over two decades and
is now setting its sights on expanding international operations, including
resuming flights to the United Kingdom and forging strategic partnerships with
Turkish Airlines, the National Assembly was informed on Wednesday.
During the National Assembly’s
Question Hour, Parliamentary Secretary for Aviation Zeb Jaffar announced that
the national flag carrier has been operating profitably since March 2024. She
said PIA had resumed flights to the European Union, including Paris, following
successful negotiations with the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Read More PIA
returns to profitability after 21 years, Posts Rs26.2 billion net gain for 2024
“PIA is financially back on track,” Jaffar said, adding that talks with British aviation authorities were also underway to restart UK-bound services.
Jaffar also pointed to past
parliamentary remarks that she said had damaged PIA’s international standing,
referencing a controversial statement made by former aviation minister Ghulam
Sarwar Khan of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which led to widespread bans
on the airline’s operations in several countries.
“The country bore the consequences
of those statements,” she said.
Jaffar confirmed that the government
is working to expand PIA’s operations to lucrative destinations, particularly
in the Middle East and North Africa. She said these efforts are part of a
broader strategy to ensure the airline's long-term viability.
Read More PIA
looking to expand operations to Middle East, Central Asia, and UK
In a bid to boost connectivity and tourism, PIA recently launched direct flights between Lahore and Baku, Azerbaijan. Talks are also ongoing with Turkish Airlines to enhance international travel options for Pakistani passengers through codeshare agreements and operational cooperation.
PIA marked a major milestone last
month by posting its first annual profit since 2003. According to financial
data obtained by Bloomberg, the airline reported earnings per share of Rs5.01
for the year ending December 2024, a significant turnaround as the government
prepares for its partial privatization.
Source: Express Tribune