The government is collaborating closely with the US aviation authority to restore direct flights to the United States, the defence minister stated.
Pakistan International Airlines resumed direct flights to London on Sunday after a six-year hiatus, with the inaugural flight departing from Islamabad.
The airline confirmed the news in a post on X, noting that direct flights will also operate from Lahore to London.
“A new chapter unfolds, connecting two vibrant cities and bringing unforgettable journeys closer than ever,” the post read.
A special inauguration ceremony was held at Islamabad International Airport to mark the resumption of the flights, according to state media reports.
The ceremony was attended by Secretary of Defence Lt Gen (Retired) Muhammad Ali, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, and Arif Habib.
PIA resumed operations to the UK in October last year after Britain removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List in July. The ban, imposed in July 2020 by UK and European aviation authorities, had followed the fake pilot licence scandal.
The relaunch of direct flights to London comes days after Khawaja Asif announced that PIA would begin direct flights from Islamabad and Lahore.
In an X post on March 26, he noted that the Pakistani diaspora in the UK “would travel with ease on direct flights, saving time and money.”
“Our government took significant measures to resume direct flights to London soon after starting flights to Manchester,” he added.
Asif also stated that Pakistan will “soon witness the expansion of the PIA fleet and the revival of its network of direct flights” to additional destinations across the UK, Europe, and Canada.
“Our government is also working closely with the US aviation authority to restore direct flight operations to the United States. I wish all stakeholders a bright future following the successful transformation of Pakistan’s aviation sector, recognized by all international aviation authorities,” wrote the defence minister.
This announcement comes three months after a consortium led by Arif Habib acquired a majority stake in PIA for Rs135 billion during an auction held in December last year.
On March 4, the Privatisation Commission approved the participation of Fauji Fertiliser Company (FFC) in the consortium, expanding the buyer group as the deal approaches its first major payment deadline in late April.
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