Pakistan International Airlines Resumes UK Flights After Five-Year Ban

PIA Returns to UK Skies After Five-Year Hiatus

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) officially resumed direct flight operations to the United Kingdom on Saturday, October 25, 2025, marking the end of a five-year ban. The first flight, a Boeing 777 carrying 284 passengers, departed from Islamabad for Manchester, signaling a significant milestone for the state-run airline and renewed connectivity between Pakistan and the UK.

The Genesis of the Ban: Fake Licenses and a Tragic Crash

The ban was initially imposed in June 2020 by both the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This decision followed a tragic Airbus A320 crash in Karachi in May 2020, which claimed nearly 100 lives. Subsequent investigations revealed a widespread scandal involving fraudulent pilot licenses, with the then-aviation minister, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, disclosing that 262 out of 850 pilots had potentially fake or irregular licenses. This revelation led to global concerns regarding aviation safety standards in Pakistan.

Path to Resumption: Reforms and Regulatory Approvals

Over the past five years, PIA and Pakistani aviation authorities undertook extensive reforms to address the safety concerns. These efforts included overhauling pilot training, licensing systems, aircraft maintenance, and safety protocols to meet international standards. The journey back to UK airspace began with EASA lifting its ban in November 2024, after rigorous safety audits. This paved the way for PIA to resume flights to European destinations, including Paris in January 2025. The UK followed suit in July 2025, removing its restrictions after concluding that Pakistan's aviation safety standards were 'satisfactory and in line with international norms'.

Economic and Social Impact of Renewed Connectivity

The ban had a significant financial impact on PIA, with estimated annual revenue losses of approximately PKR 40 billion. The resumption of flights is expected to provide substantial benefits, particularly for the over 1.6 million Pakistanis residing in the UK. Pakistan's Defense Minister, Khawaja Mohammad Asif, stated that providing direct flights is 'both a moral and national duty', emphasizing that these services will save time, offer reasonable fares, and strengthen air links to their homeland. Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Faisal, highlighted that this milestone would generate substantial revenue, boost trade and tourism, and enhance the movement of people and goods.

PIA plans to initially operate two weekly flights between Islamabad and Manchester, with intentions to expand services to London and Birmingham in the near future, gradually restoring its pre-ban route network.