Islamabad, January 10, 2025 — Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed flights to Europe on Friday, marking the end of a four-and-a-half-year ban imposed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
A PIA flight departed from Islamabad at 12:40 pm, heading for Paris, making it the only carrier to offer direct routes between Pakistan and the EU. The milestone follows the lifting of the ban by EU regulators on November 29, 2024.
“This is the first time I am traveling with PIA,” said Shumaila Rana, a 38-year-old school teacher residing in Germany. “I’m nervous and having a lot of anxiety, but I’m hoping it’s going to be a good flight.”
History of Challenges
PIA’s European ban was imposed in June 2020 after an Airbus A-320 crash in Karachi’s Model Colony killed nearly 100 people. The accident, attributed to human error, was followed by revelations that nearly a third of PIA’s pilots held fake or dubious licenses.
The airline’s troubled history includes another tragedy in 2016, when a PIA turboprop engine failure led to a crash that killed over 40 passengers on a domestic flight from Chitral to Islamabad.
EU Confidence Restored
EASA’s decision to lift the ban came after it expressed renewed confidence in the oversight capabilities of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. However, PIA remains barred from operating in the UK and the US.
The airline currently serves domestic routes and international destinations in the Gulf and Southeast Asia.
Privatisation on the Horizon
PIA’s return to Europe comes amid efforts by the Pakistani government to privatize the debt-ridden airline, which has faced years of mismanagement, unpaid liabilities, and a poor safety record.
With liabilities of nearly $3 billion—five times the value of its assets—PIA posted a loss of $270 million in 2023. The financial strain even led to flight cancellations last year when the airline struggled to purchase fuel.
To attract buyers, the government plans to transfer PIA’s losses to a holding company, making the airline free of liabilities. Officials believe the resumption of European flights will significantly boost its market value.
Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif hailed the restoration as a “major value addition” and expressed optimism that the UK would soon follow the EU’s lead in lifting its ban.
Future Prospects
PIA, established in 1955 through the nationalization of a struggling private airline, enjoyed a golden era until the 1990s. The resumption of European routes is seen as a critical step toward reviving its fortunes and restoring its reputation.
The government hopes the move will generate investor interest, paving the way for a brighter future for Pakistan’s national flag carrier.
