Pakistan is ramping up diplomatic efforts to reinstate direct Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to the United Kingdom and the United States.
Negotiations with the UK Department for Transport are ongoing, with direct flights to the UK expected to resume by June 2025.
Meanwhile, discussions with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are also in progress, and a team of American experts is set to visit Pakistan next month to evaluate the feasibility of restoring direct flights to the US.
The document highlights significant financial losses faced by PIA, attributing a $600 million loss to a statement made during the PTI government, which alleged that PIA pilots held fake degrees and suspicious licenses. This led to flight suspensions by the European Union (EU) and the UK, followed by the US FAA downgrading Pakistan's safety rating.
As a consequence, 150 PIA pilots were grounded, and Pakistani pilots working abroad suffered professional setbacks. PIA’s market share dropped drastically from 50% to 20%, while Gulf and UAE airlines gained a competitive edge due to favorable bilateral agreements. The airline’s liabilities have now ballooned to Rs740 billion, covering supplier dues, fuel costs, and government-backed loans.
The EU lifted its ban on PIA flights in December 2024, allowing the airline to resume flights to Europe in January 2025 after a four-year suspension.
