PIA returns to UK skies with first flight to Manchester after 5 years
Flights to Birmingham and London expected soon
DUBAI/ISLAMABAD – In a significant milestone for Pakistan’s aviation sector, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed flights to the United Kingdom after a five-year hiatus.
The inaugural Islamabad-Manchester service departed on Saturday, marking the national flag carrier’s return following the lifting of international restrictions that had grounded its UK operations since 2020.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, who attended the send-off ceremony, described the relaunch as “a genuine joy,” noting that it symbolised a fresh chapter in UK–Pakistan relations. “Today, October 25, PIA embarks on its inaugural flight to Manchester, marking the historic return of a Pakistani carrier to the UK,” she said in a social media post.
What led to the ban
PIA’s return comes after years of corrective measures following a damaging scandal that emerged in the wake of a 2020 Karachi air crash, which claimed 97 lives. Investigations revealed that nearly one-third of Pakistan’s active pilots held licences obtained through fraudulent means, prompting bans from Britain, the European Union and the United States.
Mohammad Faisal, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, said that all concerns had been addressed through new vetting mechanisms, improved oversight, and cooperation with international aviation regulators. “We have gone through a rigorous process of setting up a new system involving external examiners and oversight of pilot licensing,” he explained, adding that Pakistani pilots continue to serve successfully in leading global airlines.
How flights were restored
The resumption follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) restoring its confidence in PIA and Britain’s Department for Transport removing Pakistan from its Air Safety List earlier this year. In September, the airline received Third Country Operator approval for the UK, confirming that its safety and maintenance standards met international benchmarks.
حکومتِ پاکستان کی ایک بڑی کامیابی کے طور پر پاکستان انٹرنیشنل ایئرلائن (پی آئی اے) نے اسلام آباد سے مانچسٹر تک براہِ راست پروازوں کا باضابطہ آغاز کر دیا ہے۔ یہ پیش رفت پاکستان کی فضائی صنعت اور برطانیہ کے ساتھ دوطرفہ تعلقات میں ایک تاریخی سنگِ میل ہے۔
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) October 25, 2025
افتتاحی پرواز کا افتتاح… pic.twitter.com/TFOrOBqUru
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, addressing the ceremony at Islamabad International Airport, said that the government had treated the crisis as a “national challenge” and prioritised reforms to rebuild credibility. “We completely restructured pilot training, the licensing system, aircraft maintenance, and safety protocols,” he stated. “It is a matter of great pride that we raised our standards to such a level that EASA restored its confidence in PIA.”
آج الحمدوللہ پانچ سال کے بعد برطانیہ کے لئے پرواز کا اجراء ھوا۔ pti کے دور میں وزیر ھوا بازی کے بیان نے جو وطن عزیز کی ساکھ کو اور ھوا بازی کے شعبہ و قومی ائیر لائن PIAکو جو نقصان پہنچا موجودہ حکومت نے وزیر اعظم شہباز شریف کی قیادت میں اسکا ازالہ کیا۔ اللہ کی مہربانی سے آج سبز… pic.twitter.com/2ZxELr1ppM
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) October 25, 2025
Asif thanked Pakistani diplomats and British officials for their support, highlighting the contributions of Jane Marriott and her team. “Their cooperation reflects the strong friendship between the two countries,” he added.
What’s next for PIA
PIA’s newly reinstated Manchester route is only the first step in a broader relaunch strategy. The airline plans to begin flights from Islamabad to Birmingham within a month, with services to Heathrow expected early next year. Routes from Karachi and Lahore are also under consideration, while flights to Glasgow and Cardiff are in the pipeline.
The resumption of flights is also expected to benefit the two million-strong Pakistani diaspora in the UK, who make up nearly 300,000 return trips between the two countries annually. Increased air connectivity is likely to facilitate trade and tourism, as well as expand freight transport for perishable exports like fruits and vegetables.
PIA’s privatisation
With a return to profit for the first time in two decades, the government is now preparing PIA for privatisation. The airline, once hailed as a pioneering carrier in the 1960s when Karachi was dubbed the “gateway to Asia,” has accumulated losses exceeding $2.5 billion over the past decade.
In June, five parties – including local business groups and a military-owned firm – expressed interest in purchasing the struggling airline. Officials say reforms have paved the way for a potential turnaround, with the government committed to transforming PIA into a self-sustaining and profitable institution once again.