After 7 Years, PIA’s Flights Return to These Long-Awaited Routes

For years, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was absent from some of its most important routes, leaving many to question if the airline could ever regain its global standing.

Now, after a seven-year hiatus, PIA is making a bold return, marking a new chapter for Pakistan’s aviation industry and reconnecting communities eagerly awaiting its comeback.

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In a major step, PIA will resume flights to the United States, restarting operations that were suspended in 2017. Previously, the airline operated six weekly flights, including four to New York and two to Chicago.

This comeback is a significant milestone for PIA, which recently signed an MoU with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address outstanding financial obligations.

PIA is also preparing to resume flights to Europe in January, with Paris as its first destination. The inaugural Paris flight is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9. This follows the lifting of a long-standing ban by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), enabling PIA to reestablish its European presence.

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The airline is also targeting the UK, seeking approval from the Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to London, Manchester, and Birmingham. If granted, these routes will reconnect thousands of passengers who have relied on alternative carriers during PIA’s absence.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani government is working to privatize PIA through government-to-government agreements, with a December 31 deadline. Abu Dhabi and Qatar have emerged as strong contenders for ownership, and discussions are ongoing, opening doors for significant foreign investment in the airline’s future.