Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is actively preparing to potentially resume direct flights to the United States, following positive developments in aviation relations between the two countries.
A US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) delegation is set to visit Pakistan in mid-March. This five-member team will conduct a final clearance inspection to assess Pakistan’s aviation standards. PIA must achieve Category 1 status from the FAA to restart direct flights to the US—a status Pakistan is eager to regain.
Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is intensifying efforts to restore the country to Category 1. This push follows a downgrade to Category 2 after European and UK authorities banned Pakistani flights. Sources reveal that officials have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the resumption of these flights, indicating substantial bilateral progress.
Read: PIA Resumes Direct Flights to Paris After Four-Year Hiatus
PIA suspended its direct flights to the US in 2017. Previously, the airline operated six weekly flights, including four to New York and two to Chicago. Reviving these routes is part of PIA’s broader strategy to bolster its international presence.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif recently announced on local news channel ARY News’ “Aiteraz Hai” that PIA plans to resume direct flights to the United Kingdom by the end of February. Additionally, the airline aims to expand its operations to 19 European destinations, including cities like Barcelona and Milan and intends to launch flights to Canada.
