Pakistan International Airlines Resumes UK Flights After Five-Year Ban Following Pilot License Scandal

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has officially resumed its flight operations to the United Kingdom after a five-year suspension. The ban, which was lifted recently, had cost the state-run airline approximately $144 million in annual revenue losses during this period.

On Saturday, the first PIA flight from Islamabad to Manchester since July 2020 successfully departed carrying 284 passengers. Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was present at this significant event, marking the restoration of a crucial international route for the airline.

The suspension originated in 2020 following a devastating air crash in Karachi that resulted in nearly 100 fatalities. The situation worsened when then-aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan revealed that numerous Pakistani pilots possessed fraudulent licenses. This prompted immediate action from both the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority, resulting in operational restrictions against PIA.

While EASA lifted their restrictions in November last year, the UK only removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List in July 2023, finally enabling Pakistani airlines to apply for operational permits in Britain again.

A ceremonial event was organized at Islamabad International Airport before the inaugural flight's departure. This ceremony saw participation from senior officials representing the Ministry of Defence, various diplomatic missions, and key figures from the aviation sector.

During his address, Defence Minister Asif emphasized that the resumption of direct flights would strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. He highlighted that this service would provide enhanced travel options for the 1.6 million Pakistanis currently residing in Britain.

The Defence Minister instructed PIA officials to enhance the airline's scheduling, improve in-flight services, and take measures to expand both routes and flight frequencies. British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott also attended the ceremony to bid farewell to the passengers.

According to PIA's initial plan, the airline will operate two weekly flights between Islamabad and Manchester, scheduled for Tuesdays and Saturdays. There are future plans to gradually expand operations to include London and Birmingham as well.

The removal of the five-year restriction coincides with Islamabad's accelerated efforts to privatize the financially struggling airline. PIA estimates it suffered revenue losses of approximately PKR 40 billion (around USD 144 million) during the five-year prohibition period.

The UK routes, particularly to destinations like Manchester and Birmingham, were among PIA's most profitable operations and included valuable landing slots at London's Heathrow Airport, making this resumption particularly significant for the airline's financial recovery.