Pakistan is ramping up diplomatic efforts to reinstate direct flights for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to the United Kingdom and the United States. Negotiations with the UK Department for Transport suggest that flights to the UK could resume by June 2025. Simultaneously, discussions with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are underway, with American experts scheduled to visit Pakistan next month to evaluate the feasibility of direct flights between the two countries.
Read More: PIA begins direct flights between Karachi and Skardu.
An official document also outlines the severe financial setbacks faced by PIA, attributing a $600 million loss to a statement made during the PTI era alleging that PIA pilots held fake degrees and questionable licenses. This claim led to the suspension of PIA operations by the European Union and the UK, as well as a downgrade in Pakistan’s safety rating by the US FAA. Consequently, 150 PIA pilots were grounded, and many Pakistani pilots working abroad experienced professional and financial difficulties. As a result, PIA’s market share plummeted from 50% to 20%, while Gulf and UAE carriers increased their presence under bilateral agreements. The national carrier now carries liabilities of Rs740 billion, covering supplier payments, fuel charges, and government-backed loans.
On a positive note, the EU lifted its ban on PIA flights in December 2024, allowing the airline to resume flights to Europe in January 2025 after a four-year hiatus.
