Syed Saif Ul Hassan 
Nov 04, 2025
PIA passenger plane sits on tarmac, as seen through a plane window, at the Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad, on October 27, 2024. —Reuters
Consistent with the ongoing push to expand its national airline's direct flights globally, Pakistan has taken a significant step towards resuming direct flights to the US, as a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) delegation is scheduled to visit Pakistan in January 2026 for another round of audits.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has directed all department heads to prepare thoroughly for the impending American audit ahead of the resumption of Pakistan's direct flights from and to the US.
During this visit, the FAA team will comprehensively review Pakistan’s aviation systems, focusing on aircraft maintenance, flight safety, and operational standards, Bloom Pakistan reported, citing official CAA sources familiar with the matter.
It was outlined that the American experts will also inspect aircraft that may be used for future direct flights between Pakistan and the US.
The primary objective of the audit is to ensure that all safety and performance standards are met before operations can resume.
Positive results of the audit are likely to facilitate the restart of non-stop passenger flights between the two countries, which have been suspended for an extended period.
The continuation of flights would mark a notable achievement in Pakistan's bilateral relations with the US and provide greater travel options for passengers from both nations.
