PIA resumes flight to Paris after EU ban lifted

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed its flights to France on Friday, marking the occasion with the departure of its first flight carrying 330 passengers and 14 crew members to Paris.

The resumption follows the European Aviation Safety Agency's (EASA) decision to lift the ban on PIA flights within EU countries.

The inaugural ceremony, held at Islamabad International Airport, was attended by several senior officials, including Aviation Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, and the directors general of the Civil Aviation Authority and Pakistan Airport Authority.

Speaking at the event, Khawaja Asif lauded the national carrier’s efforts to restore operations and expressed gratitude to the European Union for reassessing PIA's standards.

Despite celebrating this milestone, Khawaja Asif acknowledged PIA’s financial struggles, revealing that the airline is burdened with an Rs800 billion debt.

He also criticised former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan for his controversial statements, which he claimed tarnished PIA’s reputation and forced Pakistanis to endure high foreign flight costs.

Asif expressed optimism that PIA, by maintaining high standards, will soon be able to operate flights to the UK.

To commemorate the occasion, PIA’s Boeing 777 was specially refurbished and adorned with a unique livery featuring an image of the Eiffel Tower on its tail and the phrase “I Love Paris” written on its nose.

PIA will operate flights to Paris twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays. Authorities reported high demand, with both slots already fully booked.