Pakistan’s National Carrier Back in Action

In a bid to regain its lost presence in international aviation, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has successfully restored eight overseas routes within the last six months. The Aviation Ministry presented these developments in the National Assembly, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts.

Newly Restored Routes: Connecting Pakistan to the World

PIA’s recently resumed routes include:

✅ Islamabad to Paris – Resumed after a long 4.5-year halt, operated by Boeing 777.
✅ Turbat to Sharjah & Al Ain – Flights resumed after 4-5 months, using ATR aircraft.
✅ Gwadar to Muscat – Back in operation after 13 months, served by ATR aircraft.
✅ Quetta to Jeddah – Resumed after 3 years, utilizing ATR aircraft.
✅ Faisalabad to Jeddah & Madinah – Operational again after 3 years, with Airbus A320 in service.
✅ Lahore to Kuwait – Restored after 7 months, operated by Airbus A320.

Challenges and Regulatory Issues

While most of these routes were previously suspended due to a shortage of aircraft, the Islamabad-Paris connection faced a ban by the European Union, which has now been lifted. PIA’s management is actively working to address operational gaps and improve service quality to ensure long-term stability.

Upcoming Developments: Expanding Beyond Europe

PIA is preparing for a significant expansion, with plans to resume direct flights to the UK by February 2025. Additionally, the airline will soon introduce services to 19 European cities, including Barcelona and Milan. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also confirmed that PIA intends to start flights to the US and Canada, making it more competitive on the global stage.