Pakistan Airlines Resumes Europe Flights

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed direct flights to Europe, marking a significant milestone after the European Union lifted its ban on the carrier.

The first flight, bound for Paris, departed from Islamabad on Friday morning, with more than 300 passengers on board.

The EU had imposed the ban on PIA in 2020 following a tragic crash of an Airbus A-320 in Karachi that claimed 97 lives.

The ban was further compounded by allegations from Pakistan’s former aviation minister, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, who stated that a significant portion of Pakistani pilots had falsified their qualifications, raising serious concerns over safety standards.

The ban, which lasted for over three years, resulted in financial losses for PIA, costing the airline an estimated €146 million annually.

However, with the lifting of the restriction in November, the airline has swiftly resumed its operations to European destinations, with plans to extend services to other European countries in the near future.

Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan's Defense Minister, officiated the inaugural flight to Paris and highlighted the impact of the previous aviation minister's controversial remarks. 

PIA’s flight to Paris is set to operate twice a week, offering increased connectivity for travelers between Pakistan and Europe.

Established in 1955, PIA has faced a series of safety incidents over the years, including a fatal crash in 2016. Despite these challenges, the government is now considering privatizing the airline to improve its financial standing and operational efficiency.