PIA to launch weekly direct flights to Paris next month

• PIA expands its restored network of European destinations.
• Move comes months after EASA lifts 4.5-year ban on airline.
• Only Pakistani carrier currently operating direct flights to, from EU.
  

LAHORE: Pakistanis can now take flights to Paris without worrying about a layover as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced the launch of a new direct flight route connecting 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 following a prolonged suspension, the new route will offer weekly non-stop flights from Lahore to the French capital every Wednesday, The News reported.

"The PIA’s first flight from Lahore to Paris will take off on June 18," the airline said. "A weekly flight from Lahore to Paris will take off directly on Wednesday."

The development comes months after the airline resumed its operations in Europe in January, following the lifting of a four-and-a-half-year ban by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). 

The ban was originally imposed in July 2020 after a fake pilot licence scandal came to light, prompting European regulators to restrict the PIA access to EU airspace. 

The PIA's return to European skies began with a flight from Islamabad to Paris on January 10, marking a significant milestone for the embattled carrier. 

The airline is currently the only Pakistani carrier operating direct flights to and from the European Union. The resumption and expansion of routes to Europe are seen as part of the PIA's broader efforts to regain international credibility and influence the large Pakistani diaspora residing in European countries. 

The new Lahore-Paris route is expected to benefit both business and leisure travellers, as well as families seeking convenient travel options between Pakistan and France.

PIA officials have hoped that the Lahore-Paris route would bolster revenue and enhance passenger confidence in the airline's services. Further details on ticket pricing and reservations are expected to be released in the coming days. 

The airline's return to European destinations is also being closely monitored by aviation experts who stress the importance of sustained safety standards and operational transparency in rebuilding trust among international partners and passengers.