Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has officially resumed flights to Europe, following a four-and-a-half-year ban lifted by EU aviation regulators. The first flight from Islamabad to Paris took off on Friday, marking a significant moment for the national carrier.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had suspended PIA’s operations in 2020 due to safety concerns after the tragic crash of one of its planes in Karachi, which resulted in 97 deaths. The suspension was compounded by revelations about dubious pilot licenses, further tarnishing the airline’s reputation.
PIA’s first flight departs for Paris after 4 years
At approximately 12:40 pm on Friday (January 10, 2025), a PIA Boeing 777-200 departed from Islamabad International Airport for Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle in Paris, restoring the airline’s direct flight link to the European Union. The flight is expected to land at 5:25 pm local time in Paris, becoming the only direct connection between Pakistan and the EU.
PIA flight PK-749 carried 300 passengers, including the airline’s acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Khurram Mushtaq.
Celebrating the occasion, PIA counters at Islamabad Airport were decorated with balloons, and a replica of the famous French Arc de Triomphe monument was installed in the terminal. An “I love Paris” slogan with a red heart was painted on the nose of the aircraft, symbolizing the carrier’s renewed commitment to international travel.
The first flight was a notable occasion for many passengers, including Shumaila Rana, a 38-year-old school teacher from Germany, who spoke to AFP: “This is the first time I am travelling with PIA. I’m nervous and I’m having a lot of anxiety, but I’m hoping it’s gonna be a good flight.”
PIA is resuming two weekly flights to Paris, and advance bookings for the inaugural flights have already been completed. The airline has also made special in-flight entertainment arrangements via an Intranet Wireless Entertainment System.
French embassy officials in Islamabad joined Pakistani Federal Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif and other officials at Islamabad airport for the celebratory event. PIA CEO Amir Hayat, Airport Manager Aftab Gilani, aviation secretary, and CAA director general were also present.
Minister Asif said that the resumption of direct PIA flights to Paris and other European destinations would significantly increase the revenue of PIA. He expressed confidence in PIA’s ability to regain its foothold in the European aviation market and reiterated the government’s support.
Economic significance and privatization prospects
The resumption of flights to Europe is expected to significantly boost PIA’s revenue, which has been critically impacted by the loss of European routes. The national flag carrier expects to earn over Rs107 million in revenue from its inaugural direct flight to Paris after a four-and-a-half-year suspension following the EU’s flight ban in 2020.
The ban had cost the airline Rs 40 billion ($144 million) annually. With the lifting of the suspension, PIA aims to regain lost ground and enhance its appeal to potential investors.
The airline has faced continuous financial struggles, posting a loss of $270 million in 2023, and carrying liabilities nearing $3 billion. The Pakistani government is actively pursuing privatization efforts, but previous attempts have fallen short. In early 2024, a single bidder offered far below the government’s asking price for a controlling stake in the airline, further complicating privatization efforts.
With this resumption of flights, PIA hopes to improve its financial standing and strengthen its privatization case, making it more attractive to potential investors.
Despite the resumption of flights to Europe, PIA still faces regulatory hurdles. While it has regained access to the European Union, the airline remains banned from flying to the United Kingdom and the United States. These restrictions continue to limit the airline’s ability to operate on a global scale.
The challenge for PIA is not only to recover from the financial hit caused by the suspension of European flights but also to overcome its deep-rooted issues of mismanagement and regulatory scrutiny. The resumption of these flights marks a hopeful step forward, but the airline’s long-term survival will depend on its ability to restore its reputation and improve operational efficiencies.