Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced that it expects to resume European routes soon, with a focus on several UK destinations, following the lifting of restrictions by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The EASA had suspended PIA's authorization to operate in the EU in June 2020 due to concerns about the ability of Pakistani authorities and its Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to meet international aviation standards.
PIA plans to approach the UK's Department for Transport (DfT) for the resumption of UK routes, as EASA clearance is a prerequisite for their decision, according to PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan. The suspension of PIA's operations in the region followed Pakistan's investigation into the validity of pilots' licenses after a fatal plane crash that claimed 97 lives.
Khan stated that the airline anticipates resuming flights to Europe, beginning with Paris, within the next three to four weeks. Once UK flights are approved, London, Manchester, and Birmingham are expected to be the most sought-after destinations. PIA and the government, which aims to sell a 60% stake in the carrier, had urged EASA to lift the ban, even provisionally. The ban resulted in an annual revenue loss of 40 billion rupees ($144 million) for the airline.
Khan noted that the company has sufficient cash flow to add new routes, with decisions on leasing new aircraft to be made after the government finalizes privatization discussions. The loss-making national carrier holds a 23% stake in Pakistan's domestic aviation market, but its 34-plane fleet struggles to compete with Middle Eastern carriers, which hold a 60% market share due to a lack of direct flights, despite agreements with 87 countries and key landing slots.
The government's attempt to privatize the airline failed when it received only a single offer, well below its asking price. "With Europe now, and upcoming UK routes, we anticipate increased revenue potential and hence a rise in PIA's value during the privatization process," Khan said.
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