RAWALPINDI: Pakistan International Airlines will approach the UK’s Department for Transport (DFT) for clearance to resume flights to UK.

PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan told Dawn the national flag carrier will approach the UK’s DFT for clearance to resume flights to UK in the first phase and then it would be decided when to start these flights.

He said the PIA management is expected to approach the UK’s DFT within the next few days, and once the PIA got the approval, it will operate flights for London, Manchester and Birmingham.

He said the PIA has aircraft to operate flights to Paris, Oslo and Copenhagen and these flights are likely to start within the next few weeks and four weekly flights will be operated to Paris.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) suspended PIA’s authorisation to operate in EU in June 2020 over safety concerns and dubious pilot licences. The EASA lifted the ban on PIA flights to Europe after more than four years on Nov 28. The ban was lifted after PIA demonstrated EASA compliance safety standards.

The PIA has called EASA’s decision a “significant development” for Pakistan aviation industry. The airline would continue to adhere to EASA’s regulations and guidelines, the spokesman said.Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2024