PIA has resumed direct flights from Lahore to Paris, five years after the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted its ban on the airline. The ban was initially imposed in June 2020 after a fatal Karachi crash led to an investigation into Pakistani pilots’ licence validity.
Following EASA’s clearance in November 2024, PIA restarted its Islamabad-Paris route in January 2025 and is now expanding with weekly Lahore-Paris flights. The first flight, PK-733, departed on Wednesday with 276 passengers aboard a refurbished Boeing 777. A send-off ceremony was held at Allama Iqbal International Airport, attended by PIA’s top officials and the French Embassy’s Head of Mission, Franck Aubry.
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PIA now has clearance to fly to most European destinations, excluding the UK. However, discussions are ongoing, and the airline hopes to resume UK flights within a few months.
The new route is expected to enhance travel, tourism, and trade ties between Pakistan and France. Meanwhile, PIA had earlier faced backlash for a controversial ad during the Islamabad-Paris flight relaunch, prompting an apology after it was criticized for evoking imagery reminiscent of the 9/11 attacks.
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