ISLAMABAD — After a five-year suspension, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has officially resumed flights to the United Kingdom, marking a major milestone in the flag carrier’s recovery from one of the most damaging scandals in its history.
The first Boeing 777 flight from Islamabad to Manchester departed on Saturday, symbolizing Pakistan’s re-entry into one of its most important international markets. The relaunch comes after the U.K. and European Union lifted a 2020 ban that was imposed following a deadly Karachi crash and revelations that dozens of PIA pilots had fraudulent licenses.
The European Union cleared PIA for operations in November 2024 after extensive safety audits and regulatory reforms, paving the way for the gradual resumption of European routes earlier this year.
At a ceremony held at Islamabad International Airport, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif hailed the first flight to Manchester as “a remarkable beginning,” vowing that direct flights to London and Birmingham would follow soon.
“These flights are not just about travel — they are about reconnecting more than 1.4 million Pakistanis living in Britain and Europe to their homeland,” Asif said in a televised address. “Providing them with direct flights is both a moral and national duty. These services will save them time, offer reasonable fares, and strengthen family and cultural bonds.”
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the U.K., Mohammad Faisal, described the return of PIA flights as a “milestone moment” for bilateral relations. “This relaunch will generate substantial economic benefits, boost trade and tourism, and deepen people-to-people ties between our two nations,” he said at an event in London celebrating the milestone.
PIA’s resumption of U.K. routes marks a symbolic turnaround for Pakistan’s aviation industry, which faced international scrutiny after the 2020 scandal. With new safety protocols, pilot verification systems, and international oversight in place, the airline is hoping to restore global confidence — and its reputation — one flight at a time.