Pakistan International Airlines Eyes Resumption of New York Flights with Boeing 777 Fleet

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is preparing to resume flights to New York, pending approval from U.S. aviation authorities. This development follows the lifting of a ban on PIA by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which now enables the airline to operate flights to Europe.

PIA plans to relaunch services to Paris, Milan, and Manchester immediately, with further intentions to expand operations to cities like Copenhagen, Oslo, and Amsterdam. Prior to the EASA ban, the airline maintained routes to various European destinations, including Birmingham, Bradford, Barcelona, and London.

Pakistan Airlines New York Flights

Pakistan’s Defense and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif highlighted the airline's improved performance, citing favorable outcomes from international safety audits. He emphasized that these evaluations demonstrate PIA’s readiness to re-enter major aviation markets and launch new non-stop routes.

PIA has allocated six Boeing 777 aircraft for its operations to Europe, the UK, and the U.S. The airline envisions resuming its U.S. flights with non-stop services to New York, leveraging the large Pakistani diaspora in the region.

Background

PIA’s U.S. operations, which once included routes to New York, Chicago, Houston, and Washington, were suspended in 2017. A subsequent ban by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in 2020 further halted operations, citing safety concerns.

Before the suspension, PIA faced significant operational challenges. Non-stop flights from Pakistan to the U.S. were replaced with stops in Manchester for additional security checks, costing the airline $12 million annually. Despite these hurdles, PIA had been working on plans to revive its U.S. operations as early as 2019.

Moving Forward

With EASA’s recent decision to lift its four-year ban, PIA is optimistic about its financial recovery and operational expansion. The airline sees this as a critical step toward its privatization goals. If U.S. authorities grant approval, PIA plans to promptly resume flights to New York and potentially other destinations like Chicago, Houston, and Washington.

The resumption of these routes is expected to enhance PIA’s global footprint and cater to the substantial Pakistani community abroad.

Stay tuned for further updates as PIA moves closer to reclaiming its position in international aviation markets.