Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed flights to Europe on Friday after a four-year ban was lifted by European regulators. The ban grounded the state-owned carrier from flying to the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It was imposed after a deadly crash and a scandal involving fraudulent pilot licenses. The resumption of flights signals a potential new chapter for PIA, which has long struggled with safety issues and mounting debt.
— PIA (@Official_PIA) January 10, 2025
First Flight of PIA in Four Years
The first PIA flight PK-749 to Europe since the ban lifted took off from Islamabad around 12:40 pm local time. The flight is carrying 300 passengers including the airline’s CEO heading to Paris. This flight marks PIA as the only carrier offering a direct route to and from the European Union. While many passengers expressed excitement, others voiced concerns.
History of Safety Concerns and Financial Woes
PIA’s long history of deadly crashes and allegations of fake pilot licenses tarnished its reputation. The turning point came in June 2020, when a PIA Airbus A-320 crashed into a Karachi street, killing 97 people. Human error by both the pilots and air traffic controllers caused the disaster. It was soon revealed that a third of PIA’s pilots were operating with dubious or fake licenses.
In 2016, another tragedy occurred when a PIA turboprop plane caught fire after an engine failure, resulting in the deaths of more than 40 passengers. These incidents, coupled with financial mismanagement and regulatory issues, led to the suspension of PIA’s European flights.
Regaining Confidence and a Path Forward
In November 2023, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted the ban, citing sufficient improvements in the oversight capabilities of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority. However, the airline still remains barred from flying to the United Kingdom and the United States.
Despite these challenges, PIA remains committed to expanding its routes. The airline serves multiple domestic cities and international destinations in the Gulf and Southeast Asia. Officials are hopeful that the opening of European routes will increase PIA’s attractiveness to potential buyers, particularly as the government continues efforts to privatize the debt-ridden airline.
Financial Struggles and Privatization Efforts
PIA’s financial situation has worsened in recent years. In 2023, the airline posted losses of $270 million, and its liabilities totaled nearly $3 billion which is the five times the value of its assets. During the national economic crisis, PIA struggled to secure funds for fuel, resulting in the cancellation of several domestic flights.
The government is still working to privatize the airline, though a potential deal collapsed last year when an interested buyer offered a fraction of the asking price. With the opening of European routes, officials hope to boost PIA’s appeal to investors.
PIA’s return to European skies represents a critical step in its efforts to recover from years of financial strain, safety scandals, and regulatory challenges. While the road ahead remains uncertain, the resumption of flights to Europe may be just the boost PIA needs to reclaim its position in the global aviation market.
