Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has restarted its direct flights to Paris after a suspension of more than four years. The first flight, PK-749, departed from Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) on Friday at 12:10 pm, using a Boeing 777 aircraft with 330 passengers and 14 crew members on board.
The inaugural flight ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Aviation Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, and top officials from the Civil Aviation Authority and Pakistan Airport Authority.
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Speaking at the ceremony, Khawaja Asif praised PIA and Civil Aviation for their efforts in restoring European flights and expressed gratitude to the European Union aviation authorities for recognizing Pakistan’s aviation standards. He acknowledged PIA’s financial struggles, highlighting that the airline had suffered losses of hundreds of billions over the past four and a half years, and is currently burdened with a debt of 800 billion rupees.
Asif criticized previous aviation management for causing significant damage to the sector, which led to high travel costs for Pakistanis heading abroad. He announced PIA’s upcoming plans to begin flight operations to the United Kingdom, signaling further international expansion.
The newly launched Paris route features a special livery, showcasing an Eiffel Tower model on the tail and the slogan “I Love Paris” on the nose. PIA plans to operate flights between Islamabad and Paris twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays, with both initial flights fully booked due to high demand, especially from the Pakistani community in France.
In addition, PIA has introduced a wireless entertainment system, enhancing the passenger experience by allowing media access through personal devices. The resumption of these flights comes after the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted a four-year ban on Pakistani airlines, enabling PIA to reconnect with Europe and the UK.
