Islamabad / Manchester, 25 October 2025 — After half a decade on the sidelines, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has officially returned to UK skies, marking a symbolic and commercial breakthrough for the country’s aviation sector. The airline’s first reinstated flight, a Boeing 777 service from Islamabad to Manchester, departed early Saturday morning, restoring a route that has long connected Pakistan’s heartland with one of its largest diaspora communities.
PIA’s suspension from UK and EU airspace in 2020 followed a tragic crash of PIA Flight PK8303 near Karachi that killed 97 people. The subsequent investigation revealed widespread irregularities in pilot licensing — nearly a third of Pakistan’s commercial pilots were found to hold questionable credentials. Those revelations triggered sweeping bans from EASA and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), effectively grounding PIA’s most lucrative long-haul operations and severely damaging its international credibility.
A Multi-Year Recovery
The road back has been long and exacting. Pakistan’s aviation authorities spent years tightening safety oversight, revamping pilot training, and improving regulatory transparency.
- In November 2024, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted its ban, acknowledging progress in compliance and safety standards. Pakistani carriers, including PIA and Airblue were reinstated to the EU’s Third Country Operator list and PIA resumed direct flights to Europe with a twice-weekly Islamabad–Paris route on January 10, 2025.
- In July 2025, the UK CAA followed suit, removing Pakistani carriers from its Air Safety List.
- PIA subsequently secured Third-Country Operator (TCO) approval to resume operations, clearing the way for direct flights once again.
For context on how the UK lifted the ban, see The Aviation Brief’s earlier coverage:
👉 UK Lifts Ban on Pakistani Airlines After Five Years
Back in the Air: Manchester First, London Next
PIA’s inaugural post-ban flight operated from Islamabad to Manchester on 25 October 2025, the first in what will be a twice-weekly service operating Tuesdays and Saturdays. According to the airline, London and Birmingham routes will follow in subsequent phases once operational readiness and slot approvals are complete.
Jane Marriott, UK High Commissioner to Pakistan, waved off the first flight with the airline officials.
The Stakes
Before the suspension, the UK–Pakistan corridor accounted for one of PIA’s highest-yielding international segments. Industry estimates suggest the airline lost nearly PKR 40 billion (≈ US$144 million) annually during the ban. Revenues from the UK route could help stabilize PIA’s balance sheet as it prepares for partial privatization under IMF-backed reforms.
The UK market also holds immense strategic value beyond revenue: over 1.7 million people of Pakistani diaspora live in Britain, making direct connectivity a vital economic and social link.
PIA’s return does not erase its structural challenges. The airline remains burdened by debt, overstaffing, and legacy inefficiencies. Sustaining safety compliance, operational discipline, and profitability will be essential to ensuring the UK comeback is not short-lived.
Meanwhile, competition remains fierce. Gulf carriers dominate the Pakistan–UK market through one-stop connections offering high frequencies and premium service. PIA must compete on convenience, pricing, and reliability to regain loyalty among passengers.
Read: UK Removes Pakistan from Air Safety List, Lifts Five-Year Ban on Pakistani Airlines
💬 Join the conversation: We’d love to hear your take on X (Twitter) or LinkedIn.
