PIA resumes direct flights to Paris after a four-year hiatus

Islamabad, January 10, 2025 – Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed its direct flights to Europe on Friday with the departure of flight PK-749 from Islamabad International Airport to Paris. The flight marks the airline’s return to European operations after a break of more than four years.

The flight, which departed with 300 passengers on board, including PIA’s CEO, was flagged off by Minister for Defence and Aviation Khawaja Muhammad Asif, alongside PIA acting CEO Khurram Mushtaq and Secretary of Aviation, in a simple ceremony at the airport.

PIA’s European operations had been halted following a scandal involving the validity of pilots’ licenses, which came to light after an aircraft accident that claimed 97 lives. In response to the scandal, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) revoked PIA’s permit to operate in European airspace.