Airlines

Czechs Want F-35 Fighter Jets, CV-90 Fighting Vehicles

Czech government has decided to begin negotiations with the United States about purchasing #F-35 Lightning II fighter jets from #Lockheed Martin Corp. to replace the leased Gripen fighters from Sweden’s Saab AB.

According to Prime Minister Petr Fiala, the Czech government has decided to begin negotiations with the United States about purchasing F-35 Lightning II fighter jets from Lockheed Martin Corp. to replace the leased Gripen fighters from Sweden’s Saab AB. After cancelling a bid for the supplies, the NATO member state will also take the lead in negotiations to purchase fighting vehicles from a Swedish affiliate of BAE Systems.

At a live-streamed press conference, Fiala stated, “This is another step to modernise the army and meet our alliance responsibilities.” These are crucial choices at a time when the security of Europe and the Czech Republic is confronted with fresh difficulties brought by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

The nation now has 14 Swedish-built Gripen aircraft that are leased through 2027. In June, Lockheed Martin stated that it may deliver the first F-35 fighter jets to Germany, which borders the Czech Republic, in 2026 and that it expected receiving more orders for the aircraft in Europe, possibly from Greece and the Czech Republic. According to a deal announced on Monday by the US Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin, around 375 F-35 fighter jets would be built over a three-year period.

A $2.6 billion tender for around 210 tracked fighting vehicles, which involved BAE Systems, General Dynamics, and Rheinmetall, was also canceled by the Czech government. The CV-90, an armoured vehicle produced by a Swedish division of BAE Systems, would instead be discussed with the Swedish government, according to Cernochova.

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Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.