PIA moves closer to resuming direct flights to the US

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is making significant progress toward restoring direct flights to the United States, as a delegation from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prepares to visit Pakistan for a final clearance inspection in mid-March.

According to sources, the five-member FAA team will assess Pakistan’s aviation standards to determine the country’s eligibility for Category 1 status, which is essential for resuming direct flights. Efforts are being accelerated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to meet the required safety and operational standards.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed between Pakistan and the US for the revival of direct flights, signalling a major step forward in the process.

PIA’s direct flights to the US were suspended in 2017 due to regulatory concerns. Before the suspension, the airline operated six weekly flights, including four to New York and two to Chicago. The downgrade of Pakistan’s aviation status to Category 2, following bans by the European Union (EU) and the UK, has remained a key challenge for the national carrier.