PIA gears up for resumption of direct flights to the UK

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has completed preparations for resuming direct flight operations to the United Kingdom, with its largest aircraft, a 400-seater Boeing 777, set to be deployed for the service.

According to sources, the PIA management has directed its engineering department to ensure the Boeing 777 aircraft is fully prepared for flights to the UK.

This comes amid strong indications that the five-year-long ban on PIA flights to the UK may soon be lifted.

Once the ban is officially removed, PIA will launch its operations for three major UK cities—London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

 British aviation authorities are expected to formally notify PIA and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in writing within the next few days regarding the possible resumption of operations.

The flight ban was imposed in July 2020 following the fake pilot license scandal, which led to the suspension of all Pakistani airlines, including PIA, from operating in the UK and European countries.

However, European nations have already lifted the ban on Pakistani carriers, and a similar decision is now expected from the UK.

PIA has suffered significant financial losses due to the ban, with estimates exceeding Rs120 billion. 

Reporter: Shoaib Mukhtar