Pakistan eyes revival of direct flights to UK and Europe after three-year ban

Pakistan is eagerly anticipating the potential restoration of direct flight operations to the United Kingdom (UK) and European destinations. This optimism arises in the wake of impending visits by aviation audit teams from the UK and the European Union.

A delegation from the British safety agency, the Department for Transport (DfT), is scheduled to visit Pakistan at the end of October. During their visit, the DfT team will meticulously assess various aspects of aviation safety, including the safety management system, flight data monitoring, and aircraft condition, as reported by ARY News.

The DfT’s audit will encompass not only Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) but also the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). A spokesperson from PIA confirmed that the airline’s management has completed all necessary preparations in anticipation of the DfT team’s arrival.

Furthermore, there are rising expectations that the restoration of direct flights to the UK and European countries may be on the horizon following these audits, as confirmed by the PIA spokesperson. This optimism is bolstered by the upcoming visit of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

In a significant move to facilitate this resumption of flights, PIA recently issued a tender for cargo handling services in France, soliciting applications from interested companies. These applications will be submitted to the national airline’s country manager in France, indicating a proactive approach towards international operations.

It is worth noting that PIA has been grappling with a three-year ban on direct flights to the United Kingdom due to safety concerns. Despite facing financial challenges and operational constraints, the airline has continued its flight operations in the UK through code-sharing agreements with Turkish Airlines, generating an annual revenue of £14 million. The PIA spokesperson emphasized that only a minimal 1.8% of these earnings are allocated to PIA staff in the UK.

In a sign of the airline’s commitment to the resumption of direct flights, PIA recently appointed senior officers in the United Kingdom. These appointments underscore the national flag carrier’s dedication to overcoming challenges and reinstating its vital routes to the UK.

The spokesperson further affirmed that Pakistan-UK direct flight operations are expected to be reinstated in the near future. With the appointment of a country manager and sales managers, PIA is poised to navigate the challenges and work towards a swift restoration of direct flights to the UK.

Pakistan remains hopeful that these aviation audits and proactive measures will pave the way for the much-anticipated return of convenient air travel connections to the UK and European destinations, providing a boost to both tourism and business interests.