THE country’s aviation authorities can rest a little easy. After a four-year banishment from European skies, Pakistan International Airlines flight PK-749 departed yesterday from Islamabad for Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport shortly after noon. There seemed to be quite a bit of interest in the event, with the flight among the top 10 being followed by aviation enthusiasts on FlightRadar24, a website that tracks airlines, for more than half an hour after its departure. It marked a welcome break from the serial crises that have chased the national airline for years, which suffered immense setbacks after the devastating crash of PK-8303 near Karachi airport in May 2020 led to revelations about inadequate pilot training and air safety measures. The repercussions were severe and included flight restrictions on PIA in many lucrative markets. Much effort has gone into reversing global perceptions about PIA since then, and it is encouraging to note that international regulators now seem more receptive when considering the airline’s safety profile.

The reopening of the European market to PIA will improve the airline’s viability, and it is hoped that the UK will be next to allow it to operate direct flights there again. The state has long wanted to rid itself of the burden of running a commercial airline but has found no serious takers, given PIA’s financial troubles and operational limitations. The fact that it has now demonstrated that it is ready for re-entry into more markets and compliant with stringent air safety requirements laid down by foreign regulators will sweeten the deal and aid privatisation efforts. Regardless of how the privatisation effort proceeds, however, the airline should keep its focus on reviving international operations, especially in the UK, which is a particularly important market considering the size of the expatriate population living there, as well as its social and economic linkages with Pakistan. The PIA management must not falter in this task.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2025