ISLAMABAD, Jan 10: On Friday, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) made a significant comeback to Europe, launching its first flight to Paris after a hiatus of over four years due to a ban imposed by the European Union’s aviation authority regarding safety regulations.
The suspension of PIA’s operations in Europe began in June 2020 following concerns related to the Pakistani authorities and the Civil Aviation Authority’s ability to adhere to international aviation standards, which arose after a tragic plane crash during a landing attempt in Karachi.
The inaugural flight, PK-749, departed from Islamabad International Airport at 12:10 PM, utilizing a Boeing 777 (AP-BGK). It carried a total of 330 passengers along with 14 crew members. The event was marked by a send-off from the Minister of Aviation, Khawaja Asif, alongside PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat and other distinguished officials.
During the ceremony, Khawaja Asif acknowledged the collaborative efforts of PIA and the Civil Aviation authority in achieving this milestone. He extended his gratitude to the European aviation officials for recognizing Pakistan’s improved aviation standards.
To commemorate the relaunch, the airline has creatively adorned the aircraft with a model of the Eiffel Tower on its tail and the phrase “I Love Paris” on the nose. The Boeing 777 has been fully equipped to comply with European Union aviation standards.
According to a spokesperson, PIA is expanding its European operations, now offering direct flights between Islamabad and Paris twice a week, specifically on Fridays and Sundays. The initial response has been overwhelmingly positive, with full bookings for the first two flights, and the airline anticipates high demand for this route in the months ahead.
This direct service to Paris meets a long-anticipated request from the Pakistani community in both France and Pakistan, promising affordable fares and significant time savings.
“PIA is committed to enhancing connectivity and providing convenient travel solutions for passengers, whether for domestic or international flights,” the spokesperson stated.
The relaunch comes after the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted the ban, allowing PIA to resume its services across Europe and the UK. The suspension had initially stemmed from a controversial statement made by former aviation minister, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, regarding the credibility of Pakistani pilots following the Karachi crash, which prompted the EASA to restrict the airline’s operations on lucrative European and British routes.
As Pakistan seeks to privatize the airline, the resumption of flights to Europe is seen as a vital step towards facilitating this process. (PTI)
