Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to resume flights to the United Kingdom, marking a significant milestone after a five-year ban imposed by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in 2020.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the development as a clear victory for Pakistan, emphasizing its importance for the 1.6 million-strong Pakistani diaspora in the UK and the nation’s aviation industry.
The first flights, scheduled to operate from Islamabad to Manchester starting August 14, 2025, follow the UK Air Safety Committee’s decision to remove Pakistan from its Air Safety List, recognizing improvements in aviation safety standards.
The ban was initially imposed following the tragic crash of PIA Flight PK8303 in Karachi on May 22, 2020, which killed 97 people, coupled with revelations of irregularities in pilot licensing. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK CAA suspended PIA’s operations, citing serious safety concerns, including the grounding of 141 of PIA’s 434 pilots over fake or dubious licenses. The ban cost PIA an estimated Rs. 40 billion ($144 million) annually, severely impacting its revenue and reputation. After rigorous efforts, including multiple technical sessions with EASA and UK authorities, PIA regained European clearance in November 2024, resuming flights to Paris on January 10, 2025.
The UK’s decision followed a thorough audit by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) in early 2025, which verified Pakistan’s compliance with international safety standards. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott termed the move a “milestone in UK-Pakistan relations,” highlighting enhanced trade and travel opportunities, with bilateral trade already exceeding £4.7 billion.
PIA plans to operate three weekly flights on the Islamabad-Manchester route initially, with plans to restore services to London and Birmingham pending DfT approval. The resumption is expected to boost PIA’s privatization prospects, with four groups bidding for a 51-100% stake by July 2025.
Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif noted that the restored routes would enhance PIA’s valuation, following its first operating profit in 21 years in 2024.
Despite the optimism, recent incidents, including a PIA flight landing on the wrong runway in Lahore on January 18, 2025, and a missing tire incident on March 12, 2025, have delayed UK approval. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) addressed these concerns through enhanced safety protocols, paving the way for the ban’s lifting.
The resumption of direct flights is expected to reconnect families, simplify business travel, and strengthen Pakistan’s aviation sector.
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