Today, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumes direct flights to Paris, ending a four-and-a-half-year hiatus. The service begins with flight PK-749, a Boeing 777, departing from Islamabad International Airport at 12:10 pm with 330 passengers and 14 crew members.
Aviation Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, the PIA CEO, and other senior aviation officials will attend the inaugural flight. Celebrating the relaunch, the aircraft features an Eiffel Tower model on its tail and the slogan “I Love Paris” on the nose, meeting European Union aviation standards.
PIA is expanding its European routes, offering weekly direct flights from Islamabad to Paris. The initial flights are fully booked, indicating strong future demand. This service aims to meet the Pakistani community’s needs in France by providing affordable, time-efficient travel options.
PIA’s new in-flight entertainment allows passengers to use their devices for entertainment, enhancing the travel experience. A partnership with Air France also facilitates connections from Paris across Europe and the UK.
Read: PIA Prepares for UK Flight Resumption
The resumption follows the European Aviation Safety Agency’s lift of the ban on PIA, enabling operations in EU countries. Additionally, PIA is revitalizing its fleet, reintroducing an ATR aircraft for robust domestic operations and aiming for a 90% on-time performance rate.