Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is taking significant steps toward restoring direct flights to the United States, with a crucial inspection by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) scheduled for mid-March, sources confirmed.
FAA Delegation to Assess Aviation Standards
A five-member FAA team will visit Pakistan to evaluate aviation safety standards and determine whether the country meets the requirements for Category 1 status, a key condition for resuming direct flights to the U.S.
Sources revealed that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for flight resumption has already been signed. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is intensifying efforts to regain Category 1 status, which was downgraded following flight bans imposed by European and UK regulators.
Background on Flight Suspension
Direct flights between Pakistan and the U.S. were suspended in 2017. Before the suspension, PIA operated six weekly flights, including four to New York and two to Chicago.
Expansion Plans for UK, Europe, and Canada
Alongside its U.S. flight revival efforts, PIA is also preparing to resume direct flights to the UK by the end of February, as announced by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif. The airline is further expanding operations to 19 European destinations, including Barcelona and Milan, and is planning to launch services to Canada.
Enhancing Value and Operational Growth
These strategic developments are expected to strengthen PIA’s operational capacity, boost its market value, and play a crucial role in the airline’s revival and potential privatization.
