Business Desk 
Feb 23, 2025
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is making arrangements to restart direct flights to the UK, expecting a positive decision from British aviation authorities.
The UK Department for Transport's Safety Review Board is set to meet on March 15, where Pakistan hopes its airlines will be allowed to resume operations.
PIA prepares to resume UK flights
PIA has announced plans to restart direct flights from Islamabad to Manchester on March 28. In the second phase, flights will be added from Islamabad and Lahore to London and Birmingham.
The airline has already issued tenders for ground handling, catering, and crew accommodations to ensure smooth operations.
A PIA spokesperson confirmed that the airline is ready to launch flights as soon as the UK government gives approval. "The UK market is very important for us, and we aim to provide passengers with international-standard services," the spokesperson said.
The UK suspended PIA flights in 2020 after the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) raised safety concerns. Pakistan has since worked to meet international aviation standards, and the upcoming review could finally lead to the airline's return to the UK market.
If the ban is lifted, Pakistani travellers will once again have direct access to the UK, making travel more convenient and cost-effective. The move is expected to benefit business and tourism while enhancing Pakistan’s aviation industry.
