By Naimat Ullah
After a four-year hiatus, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed flights from Islamabad to Paris. The inaugural flight departed at noon, with bookings for the first and second flights fully sold out. According to a spokesperson, PIA will operate two direct flights to Paris each week. Passengers will also be able to access in-flight entertainment through their mobile phones, tablets, or laptops.
The suspension of PIA’s European operations began in May 2020 following a tragic plane crash in Karachi that killed 97 people. The subsequent statement by a former aviation minister about the dubious licenses of nearly 40% of local pilots raised international concerns, leading European regulators to impose a ban on PIA.
PIA’s history dates back to 1946, before Pakistan’s independence. It was initially launched as “Orient Airways,” a venture directed by Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The airline began operations on June 4, 1947, just two months before Pakistan’s creation. After the country’s establishment, Orient Airways was merged with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on January 10, 1955. PIA’s first international service began in the same year, and it quickly became one of the world’s leading airlines, pioneering flights from Pakistan to Norway in Asia.
However, PIA has suffered significant financial losses over the years due to political interference, poor administrative decisions, and alleged conflicts of interest during various governments. A key contributing factor was the controversial statement by the former aviation minister, which led to the suspension of PIA’s flights to Europe.
The suspension, which came into effect in July 2020, followed revelations that a significant number of PIA pilots’ licenses were found to be invalid. This, combined with other mismanagement issues, led to a drastic decline in PIA’s operations. Several profitable routes were closed, and the airline’s losses mounted.
However, under the current government, efforts are underway to restore PIA to its former status. The resumption of flights to Paris marks a significant step in this direction. According to PIA’s Paris manager, Rizwan, the first flight is expected to land at Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris later today. The flights between Islamabad and Paris will now operate twice a week.
A ceremony was held at Islamabad Airport before the departure of the flight, where Minister of Defence Khawaja Asif addressed the passengers. He acknowledged the key role played by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in facilitating the resumption of flights to Paris. He also emphasized that PIA, along with the Civil Aviation Authority, had worked tirelessly over the past four years, despite the airline incurring substantial financial losses during this period.
Minister Asif criticized the previous government’s statements, which he said had caused significant damage to PIA’s reputation. He assured that the green and white flag of Pakistan would once again soar in European skies as PIA resumes its operations across Europe, including three locations in the UK. He further revealed that PIA is currently burdened with a debt of approximately 800 billion rupees.
The first Paris flight is fully booked, a sign of strong demand among the Pakistani diaspora in Europe. The resumption of services marks a hopeful new chapter for PIA, which is determined to regain its prominence in the global aviation market.
