PIA to Resume UK Flights After Eidul Fitr

PIA to Resume UK Flights After Eidul Fitr

 

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to restart flights to the United Kingdom after Eidul Fitr, according to Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Dr. Muhammad Faisal.

During an iftar dinner in London, attended by journalists, social media influencers, and distinguished guests, Dr. Faisal announced that PIA will initially resume flights connecting London and Manchester to Pakistan. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to reinstate services from Birmingham in the near future.

To mark this milestone, a formal opening ceremony will be held, with media representatives invited to cover the event. Dr. Faisal assured that the decision to restore flights is not tied to any operational concerns regarding aircraft landings. Instead, it is part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to strengthen its aviation ties with the UK after a long suspension of direct flights.

This development is expected to provide greater convenience for travelers while reinforcing PIA’s presence in the international aviation market.

PIA Resumes European Operations as Pakistan Moves Forward with Airline Privatization

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) officially resumed its European operations on January 10, 2025, with its first flight to Paris. This marks the end of a four-and-a-half-year ban imposed by the European Union (EU) in June 2020.

The suspension was initially triggered by a tragic plane crash in Karachi, but the situation worsened when Pakistan’s then-Aviation Minister revealed that several pilots had been employed with fraudulent licenses. This raised serious safety concerns, leading to a complete halt in PIA’s operations across Europe.

After implementing extensive regulatory reforms and improving safety compliance, PIA successfully met the EU’s aviation standards, allowing it to restart flights to European destinations.

PIA’s Privatization Plans and IMF Commitments

Alongside operational recovery, the Pakistani government has committed to selling PIA by July 2025 as part of its agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, the fate of PIA’s Roosevelt Hotel in New York remains uncertain following the premature termination of a $228 million lease deal.

The Privatisation Ministry recently briefed the IMF on PIA’s sell-off progress, reaffirming its plan to complete the process by mid-2025. This comes after a failed attempt to privatize the airline, during which weak scrutiny led to a real estate developer being selected as the sole bidder. The offer of Rs10 billion fell far below the minimum asking price of Rs85 billion, derailing the deal.

Currently, the government is assessing investor interest and plans to issue an official Expression of Interest (EOI) by the end of this month to attract potential buyers. This move is seen as a crucial step toward addressing PIA’s financial struggles and improving Pakistan’s aviation industry.