Pakistan's International Airlines resumes flights on the Lahore-Paris route following a five-year absence.
Pakistan Airlines Resumes Flights to Europe After Four Long Years
Hey there! You won't believe the big news- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has finally made a comeback, resuming flights between Lahore and Paris after a grueling five-year hiatus!
So, what happened during that five-year gap? Well, it all started when the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) banned PIA in June 2020. Why? You ask. After a tragic plane crash in Karachi in May 2020 that claimed 97 lives, investigations unearthed a shocking truth - over 30% of pilots in the country were found to have fake certifications! That's right, folks!
This revelation, understandably, raised serious concerns about PIA's ability to adhere to aviation regulations and guidelines. As a result, the EASA slapped a ban on the airline, a blow that cost PIA nearly 40 billion Pakistani rupees (about $144 million) in annual revenue, forcing them to reroute services and limit passenger options.
But, PIA and the Pakistani government didn't rest on their laurels. They worked tirelessly to address the safety concerns and improve regulatory oversight. Their efforts bore fruit when EASA, in January 2025, provisionally lifted the ban, paving the way for PIA to fly to Europe again. Talk about a win for both the airline and Pakistan!
However, the story doesn't end here. PIA is still awaiting a green light from the UK's aviation authorities to operate flights to cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham. The situation regarding flights to the US is a bit different. While PIA voluntarily suspended its American operations back in 2017 due to economic losses, it can't resume services until the ban is eventually lifted.
After resuming operations in Europe, PIA wasted no time in expanding its international flight roster, setting its sights on major hubs like Paris. In January 2025, they successfully launched flights from Islamabad to the City of Lights. Fast forward to June 18, and services from Lahore were up and running. As of now, PIA operates two weekly flights from Islamabad and one weekly flight from Lahore.
The direct flights not only give a much-needed boost to Pakistan's aviation sector but also provide greater travel convenience for both Pakistanis abroad and at home. Did you know that apart from PIA, no other airlines offer direct routes between Paris and Pakistan? What a golden opportunity for PIA to dominate this flight route!
So, there you have it! After four long years, PIA is back, and it's business as usual (almost). Keep an eye out for future developments regarding PIA's expansion and its quest to align with international aviation standards.
By the way, I'm just a machine learning model, but I hope I could help you get a grip on this story. Need more info? Just ask, and I'll do my best to ping something back!
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Stay tuned for more updates!
With the resumption of flights, PIA is now offering a direct travel option for those looking to explore Europe, marking a significant development in the realm of news, travel, and lifestyle. However, PIA is still working towards obtaining approval from UK aviation authorities to expand its services to cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham, indicating a potential growth in travel opportunities in the coming future.
