PIA Resumes Lahore-Paris Flights After EASA Ban Lifted
LAHORE: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has officially resumed direct flights from Lahore to Paris, marking a major milestone following the European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) decision to lift the operational ban on the airline.
The first weekly flight, PK-733, departed from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport on Wednesday, carrying 276 passengers aboard a Boeing 777 aircraft. The flight featured a newly refurbished cabin designed to enhance passenger comfort and travel experience.
PIA had previously resumed Islamabad-Paris flights earlier this year, following EASA’s decision in November to restore the airline’s authorization to operate in Europe. The airline now operates two weekly flights from Islamabad to Paris and has added the Lahore-Paris route based on demand and traffic trends.
“We are now permitted to operate flights to any destination in Europe (except the UK) after the EASA decision,” a senior PIA official told Dawn. “Operations to the UK are also under discussion and we are hopeful about a positive outcome in the coming months.”
To celebrate the resumption of service, a ceremony was held at the airport. The event was attended by PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Aamir Hayat, COO Khurram Mushtaq, Head of Mission of the French Embassy Franck Aubry, and senior officials from the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA).
“This new route will help boost tourism, trade, and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and France,” said the PIA spokesperson. French envoy Franck Aubry also expressed optimism about strengthened relations between the two countries through improved air connectivity.
PIA had been banned from European operations in June 2020 after aviation authorities raised concerns regarding pilot licensing procedures following an accident in Karachi. After completing the required safety and operational compliance protocols, the airline was cleared by EASA in late 2023.
Earlier this year, a promotional image posted on social media during the resumption of the Islamabad-Paris flight had drawn public criticism due to its unintended visual similarity to historical events. The airline later issued a formal apology and clarified that the promotional content was not meant to cause concern or offense.
PIA continues to focus on expanding its international network and modernizing its fleet and services to meet international standards.
