Flights to Begin with Manchester Before Expanding to Birmingham and London
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to resume its flights to the United Kingdom this month, following the final clearance from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The announcement was made on Friday by Pakistan’s High Commission in London, marking a significant step towards restoring direct air travel between the two nations.
The UK CAA recently issued the Foreign Aircraft Operating Permit (FOP), the essential approval for PIA to restart commercial operations to the UK. This follows the earlier granting of the Third Country Operator (TCO) approval, which had been secured by PIA.
Phase One: Manchester as the First Destination
In the first phase of its operations, PIA will resume flights to Manchester, with plans to extend services to Birmingham and London in subsequent stages. The High Commission highlighted that PIA’s return to the UK will provide much-needed relief to the 1.7 million Pakistanis living in Britain, offering them more direct and convenient travel options to Pakistan.
This resumption comes after a long hiatus, with PIA’s flights to the UK having been grounded in July 2020, following the “fake pilot license scandal.” Despite the setback, the airline has made significant progress in regaining its operational rights, thanks to the technical cooperation between Pakistani and British aviation authorities.
A Milestone After Two Years of Technical Cooperation
Last month, PIA received the TCO certification from UK authorities, which paved the way for its return to British airspace. The airline’s return is seen as a success after extensive efforts to address previous safety concerns. In 2021, Pakistan was added to the UK’s Air Safety List due to safety issues, but following a sustained review of safety oversight standards and technical cooperation with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), the country was removed from the list in July 2025.
Moreover, a recent letter from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed that PIA has also been granted permanent approval to operate cargo flights from Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi to the UK under the UK’s ACC3 aviation security framework. These designations are valid until August 2030, ensuring long-term operational stability for PIA in Britain.
EU Ban Lifted, Paving the Way for PIA’s Expansion
In addition to the UK, the European Union (EU) lifted its ban on PIA and other Pakistani carriers, allowing them to fly to various European destinations. PIA marked a milestone earlier this year with its first direct flight from Islamabad to Paris in January, signaling its growing presence in Europe.
The resumption of flights to the UK is a significant achievement for PIA, demonstrating the airline’s commitment to improving its safety standards and rebuilding its international reputation.
