Pakistan International Airlines PIA has sought permission to resume direct flights to Britain following the recent lifting of the UK ban on flights.
According to sources, PIA has formally submitted a written request to the UK Civil Aviation Authority seeking immediate approval to operate flights to Manchester. The airline is reportedly optimistic about receiving flight clearance within the next few days.
Initially, PIA plans to commence operations from Islamabad to Manchester, while formal requests for resuming services to London and Birmingham will be submitted at a later stage.
A few years ago, Pakistani airline PIA was banned over a fake degree scandal that was raised during the previous PTI government following a deadly crash in Karachi. The aviation minister has alleged that many PIA pilots hold fake degrees. According to the UK High Commission statement, Pakistani airlines can now seek operational clearance from the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority to resume services.
Read more: UK retains ban on PIA flights, dashing hopes for immediate resumption
The British High Commission clarified that the removal from the safety flight was conducted through an independent and technical process. The decision is expected to strengthen the relationship between the UK and Pakistan, as the UK is home to over 1.6 million Pakistani people. The UK is also Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade valued at £4.7 billion annually. Easier travel is anticipated to boost family reunions, tourism, and business exchanges. With PIA offering direct flights to the UK, it will also reduce the travel time and cost for passengers.
PIA has also resumed direct flight operations to Europe, including Paris. Earlier this year, the United Kingdom(UK) retained a ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), confirms the UK Department for Transport. The national carrier expects the lifting of the suspension imposed in 2020.
The decision by the UK Department for Transport has dashed the hopes for the imminent resumption of the PIA direct flights to and from the UK.