Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed its long-awaited operations to Europe on Friday, marking a significant milestone with a direct flight from Islamabad to Paris after a hiatus of four and a half years.
The inaugural flight, PK-749, departed from Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) at 12:10 pm, utilizing a refurbished Boeing 777 (AP-BGK) aircraft. The flight carried 330 passengers and 14 crew members, signifying the airline’s renewed commitment to meeting international aviation standards.
The ceremony marking the occasion was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Aviation Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, and the directors general of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Pakistan Airport Authority.
Speaking at the event, Khawaja Asif lauded the efforts of PIA and the Civil Aviation Authority in regaining access to European airspace. He extended his gratitude to European Union aviation authorities for their rigorous evaluation and approval of Pakistan’s updated standards.
The minister also highlighted the financial struggles faced by PIA during the suspension, noting losses in the hundreds of billions of rupees over the past four and a half years. He revealed that the airline is burdened with debt amounting to Rs. 800 billion.
Khawaja Asif criticized the former aviation minister’s controversial statements, which he claimed caused extensive damage to Pakistan’s aviation sector. He also pointed out that, during the ban, Pakistani travelers had to endure higher costs while traveling abroad.
Expressing optimism about the future, the minister shared plans to soon expand PIA’s operations to the United Kingdom, further boosting the airline’s international reach.
To celebrate the resumption of flights to Europe, PIA introduced a special livery for its Boeing 777 aircraft. The design features a model of the Eiffel Tower on the tail and the slogan “I Love Paris” on the nose, symbolizing the renewed connection between Pakistan and France.
The Islamabad-Paris route will operate twice a week, with flights scheduled on Fridays and Sundays. According to PIA, the initial response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the first two flights already fully booked. The route is expected to remain in high demand, particularly among the Pakistani community residing in France.
In a bid to enhance the passenger experience, PIA has also introduced a wireless entertainment system. Passengers can now use their own devices to access a range of media options during the flight.
The resumption of this route follows the recent lifting of a four-year ban by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Pakistani airlines flying to EU countries. This milestone allows PIA to not only resume its services to Europe but also plan an expansion to the United Kingdom in the near future.
