PIA has officially resumed direct flights to the United Kingdom (UK) after a five-year suspension, marking a significant achievement for Pakistan’s aviation sector. The first flight took off for Manchester on Saturday, reopening a key travel route between Pakistan and the UK.
At the relaunch ceremony, Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif said that the government had taken major steps to meet international aviation standards. He explained that Pakistan had completely upgraded pilot training, licensing procedures, aircraft maintenance, and safety systems to restore global confidence in its aviation operations.
“It is a matter of pride that we raised our standards to the level where the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) restored trust in PIA,” the minister stated.
According to the airline, direct flights between Islamabad and Manchester are now available for booking on the PIA website and through travel partners. Fares start at £633 (Rs236,914), and the airline plans to operate four weekly flights initially. Services to Birmingham and London are expected to begin in the next phase.
Khawaja Asif praised the efforts of Pakistani embassies and diplomatic staff in the UK and Europe, who played a key role in restoring the airline’s operations. He said their continued advocacy and evidence-sharing helped lift restrictions and rebuild confidence in Pakistan’s aviation standards.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s goal of turning PIA into a profitable and efficient national carrier. He emphasized that providing direct flight services is vital for the 1.4 million Pakistanis living in Britain and Europe, who contribute significantly to the national economy through remittances.
The airline’s return follows the UK government’s decision on July 16 to remove PIA from its Air Safety List after successful technical audits and safety improvements.
In other related news also read PIA Introduces New Flight Route To Gulf Destination
Before the suspension in 2020, the airline operated 21 weekly flights to the UK. The resumption of service is expected to greatly improve connectivity for passengers traveling between Pakistan and Europe.
