ISLAMABAD; Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday reaffirmed the government’s determination to transform Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) into a profitable and trustworthy organisation as the national carrier resumed its flights to the United Kingdom after five years.
Speaking at a ceremony at Islamabad International Airport marking the milestone, Khawaja Asif said the suspension of PIA’s UK operations had inflicted serious financial losses, but the airline’s standards had now been fully restored. He credited Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts and the cooperation of the British authorities for this achievement.
PIA’s Boeing 777, flight PK-701, departed from Islamabad to Manchester after the event, marking the official resumption of operations. A welcoming ceremony is also planned at Manchester Airport, according to a PIA spokesperson.
The United Kingdom had lifted its five-year flight ban in July, allowing Pakistani airlines to reapply for route permissions. PIA’s services were reinstated after it received Third Country Operator (TCO) certification from British regulators last month.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Faisal, said the Islamabad-Manchester route could pave the way for further connections to other British cities. Speaking to The Telegraph, Faisal said the airline had implemented comprehensive reforms following the 2020 Karachi plane crash that killed 97 passengers and revealed fake pilot licences in the aviation sector.
Subsequent investigations led to criminal cases against dozens of pilots and officials involved in issuing fraudulent credentials. PIA has since overhauled its safety, training, and maintenance systems, introducing strict vetting procedures that meet European and British standards.
The airline previously estimated a loss of 40 billion rupees annually due to the UK ban, as routes to London, Manchester, and Birmingham were among its most profitable. Officials said the airline’s Heathrow landing slots could soon be reactivated.
Faisal emphasized that Pakistan has rebuilt international confidence in its aviation standards, adding that Pakistani pilots continue to be recognized and employed by reputable global airlines.
