ISLAMABAD — After years of turbulence, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been cleared to re-enter European skies. The European Union has lifted its ban on the national carrier, paving the way for the resumption of long-suspended flights to Paris and other destinations, Pakistan’s Senate was told Tuesday, reported by The Nation News.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the ban, imposed after controversial remarks by a former minister about pilots’ licenses, had caused “unprecedented financial losses” to PIA while tarnishing Pakistan’s international reputation.
At its peak, ten PIA routes were suspended — some due to restrictions from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), others for commercial reasons. Among them were Islamabad–Paris, Lahore–Baku, Turbat–Sharjah, Turbat–Al Ain, Gwadar–Muscat, Quetta–Jeddah, Faisalabad–Jeddah, Faisalabad–Madinah, Lahore–Kuwait, and Karachi–Peshawar.
The minister clarified that no new aircraft were added to PIA’s fleet during the ban. Instead, planes were reassigned from routes with lower demand to those with higher passenger traffic, a practice common in the global airline industry.
During the session, Senator Dinesh Kumar raised concerns over a recent 55-hour delay of flight PK-734 in Paris on August 8, warning such incidents could slow the airline’s recovery. Chaudhry replied that mechanical issues were routine in aviation and that the Paris fault had been fully addressed before service resumed.
Senator Dr. Mayoon Memon stressed that several suspended routes — including Sharjah, Al Ain, Muscat, Jeddah, and Madinah — had no link to the EU ban, urging that smaller cities such as Quetta and Faisalabad not be sidelined.
Chaudhry assured lawmakers that route choices were guided by profitability and passenger demand. He added that PIA was committed to improving its services and that the government was actively considering long-term restructuring plans to restore the airline’s global standing.
