PIA Resumes Direct Flights from Islamabad to Paris After Four Years

ISB Pakistan: After a four-year hiatus, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed its direct flights from Islamabad to Paris. The first flight departed at 12:00 PM, with Defense Minister Khawaja Asif bidding farewell to passengers. He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for playing a pivotal role in restarting these operations.

Full Bookings and Weekly Flights

According to the PIA spokesperson, both the first outbound and inbound flights are fully booked. PIA will now operate two direct flights per week between Islamabad and Paris.

Modern In-Flight Entertainment for Passengers

Passengers will have access to in-flight entertainment through their mobile phones, tablets, or laptops, enhancing their travel experience.

Defense Minister’s Address

Speaking at a ceremony held at Islamabad Airport, Khawaja Asif highlighted the challenges PIA faced over the past four years:

• The airline incurred hundreds of billions of rupees in losses, partly due to the previous government’s policies.
• He emphasized that the green crescent flag will now once again fly high in European skies.

He further announced that PIA will also resume operations to three destinations in the UK, marking a significant expansion in its international services.

Financial Challenges Ahead

While celebrating the resumption of flights, the minister noted that PIA is currently burdened with a debt of PKR 800 billion, but assured that efforts are underway to restore the airline’s financial health.

This development marks a major milestone in PIA’s efforts to reestablish its presence in Europe and regain passenger confidence.