RAWALPINDI: Pakistan International Airlines will approach the UK’s Department for Transport (DFT) for clearance to resume flights to UK.

PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan told Dawn the national flag carrier will approach the UK’s DFT for clearance to resume flights to UK in the first phase and then it would be decided when to start these flights.

He said the PIA management is expected to approach the UK’s DFT within the next few days, and once the PIA got the approval, it will operate flights for London, Manchester and Birmingham.

He said the PIA has aircraft to operate flights to Paris, Oslo and Copenhagen and these flights are likely to start within the next few weeks and four weekly flights will be operated to Paris.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) suspended PIA’s authorisation to operate in EU in June 2020 over safety concerns and dubious pilot licences. The EASA lifted the ban on PIA flights to Europe after more than four years on Nov 28. The ban was lifted after PIA demonstrated EASA compliance safety standards.

The PIA has called EASA’s decision a “significant development” for Pakistan aviation industry. The airline would continue to adhere to EASA’s regulations and guidelines, the spokesman said. Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

A positive note
Updated 10 Feb, 2025

A positive note

With govt unable to press growth accelerator without upending fragile recovery, sufferings of low-middle-income households are unlikely to disappear soon.
Justice for all
10 Feb, 2025

Justice for all

ALONG with his domestic agenda, Donald Trump is busy ripping to shreds the post-World War II ‘rules-based...
Held back
10 Feb, 2025

Held back

IT is a crying shame how women are conspicuously absent from Pakistan’s civil services. Despite comprising half ...
Race against time
Updated 09 Feb, 2025

Race against time

While some bright spots emerged at Breathe Pakistan moot, we must streamline our climate governance.
Open door
09 Feb, 2025

Open door

THE door is still open for talks, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has reminded the PTI. What matters, however,...
Football suspension
09 Feb, 2025

Football suspension

ONCE again, Pakistan has been ousted from the global football family. FIFA recently suspended the Pakistan Football...