Rehan Shahid 
Oct 05, 2025
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced the restart of flight operations to the United Kingdom (UK), after a four-year ban on services.
The Pakistan High Commission in London (PHC London) said that PIA’s return will provide relief to over 1.7 million Pakistanis living in the UK, ensuring easier and more direct travel to Pakistan.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif confirmed that the first flight from Islamabad to Manchester and back is planned for October 25, with a weekly frequency of two flights.
The High Commission noted that the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued the Foreign Aircraft Operating Permit, the final approval required for PIA to resume commercial flights.
It is worth noting that the airline also secured the Third Country Operator approval for UK operations. Flights will initially resume to Manchester, followed by Birmingham and London.
In July 2022, the UK and European aviation authorities banned PIA from operating flights following the "fake pilot licence scandal."
In 2021, Pakistan was placed on the UK's Air Safety List due to serious safety concerns. Since then, Pakistani and British aviation regulators have worked closely to address the deficiencies.
The UK Department for Transport also conducted a security inspection at Islamabad International Airport, declaring Pakistan’s aviation security satisfactory and aligned with international standards.
