- PIA expands its restored network of European destinations.
- The movement occurs months after EASA elevates the 4.5 -year prohibition of the airline.
- Only the Pakistani carrier currently operates direct flights to, from the EU.
LAHORE: Pakistanis can now take flights to Paris without worrying about a scale since Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced the launch of a new direct flight route that connects Lahore to Paris.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the national flag carrier revealed that, as part of an expansion of its restored network of European destinations after a prolonged suspension, the new route will offer weekly flights without scales from Lahore to the French capital every Wednesday, The news reported.
“The first PIA flight from Lahore to Paris will take off on June 18,” said the airline. “A weekly flight from Lahore to Paris will take off directly on Wednesday.”
The development occurs months after the airline resumes its operations in Europe in January, after the lifting of a four and a half year prohibition by the European Union Aviation Security Agency (EASA).
The ban was originally imposed in July 2020 after a false pilot license scandal came to light, which led European regulators to restrict PIA’s access to the EU airspace.
The return of the PIA to the European skies began with a flight from Islamabad to Paris on January 10, marking a significant milestone for the rising airline.
The airline is currently the only Pakistani carrier who operates direct flights to and from the European Union. The resumption and expansion of the routes to Europe are considered part of the broader efforts of PIA to recover international credibility and influence the great Pakistani diaspora that resides in European countries.
The new Lahore-Paris route is expected to benefit both business and leisure travelers, as well as families looking for convenient travel options between Pakistan and France.
PIA officials have expected the Lahore-Paris route to strengthen income and improve passenger confidence in airline services. They are expected to be more details about the prices of tickets and reserves in the next few days.
The return of the airline to European destinations is also being closely monitored by aviation experts that emphasize the importance of sustained safety standards and operational transparency in the reconstruction of trust between international partners and passengers.
