Is PIA ready to resume flights directly to UK after 5-year hiatus?

Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed that British aviation officials have confirmed to come to visit Pakistan in January 2025 for an inspection. Their visit is likely to determine whether Pakistan is ready to resume flights directly to UK, something it suspended in 2020.

Ahead of the visit, an online preparatory meeting between Pakistan and British authorities has been planned for the third week of December 2024. The evaluation, according to him, will be carried out along the parameters used by a recent review conducted by the European Union, which showed satisfactory performance. These, he believes, have much improved the prospects of clearing the green flag for the resumption of flights to the UK.

Enhanced Prospects to Earn Good Revenue and Expanded Connectivity

Previously, Pakistan International Airlines operated 21 weekly flights to the UK with 10 flights to London, 9 flights to Manchester, and 2 flights to Birmingham. This resumption of services would benefit the national carrier with a huge economic benefit and enhance the choice for passengers traveling to the UK and Europe.

PIA officials are preparing for a strong return, emphasizing the economic and practical benefits of reinstating these routes. The airline is expecting higher demand, which may help restore its revenues and strengthen the relationship between Pakistan and its European markets.

Next Steps

British Delegation, comprising participants from the UK Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority, will begin inspecting in the third week of January. Their results would play a crucial part in operational clearance. Satisfactory results would usher the country into flights in and out of the United Kingdom almost immediately.

This development marks a critical step toward the recovery of global confidence in Pakistan’s aviation standards, the facilitation of travel connectivity, and bolstering the country’s economic prospects.