Ishaq Dar says PIA to launch Manchester flights next month

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday announced Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) would launch three to four weekly flights to Manchester in the United Kingdom, saying the revival of the national carrier had been among the government’s top priorities.

Britain removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List earlier this year, clearing the way for Pakistani carriers to seek permits to operate in the UK.

Pakistani airlines were barred from flying to Europe and Britain after a 2020 PIA Airbus A320 crash in Karachi killed nearly 100 people and led to controversial claims about widespread irregularities in pilot licensing.

European regulators lifted their suspension last November after due diligence, enabling PIA to resume operations to Paris in January.

“As you know, just a few months ago, by the grace of God, the UK … lifted its ban [on PIA flights],” Dar told reporters at a news conference.

“So, the final expected flights [to the UK] are due in the month of September,” he added. “They will start from Pakistan to Manchester, with three to four weekly flights. PIA is preparing for this.”

The deputy PM added flights to Britain would have resumed sooner had the UK still been bound by European Union aviation rules.

He said the government was encouraged by good feedback from the public, noting that at present only British Airways offers direct services, which were limited to Islamabad twice a week.

With more than 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK and thousands of British nationals residing in Pakistan, the Manchester route is expected to ease travel and stimulate bilateral trade.

Britain is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral commerce worth £4.7 billion.

The new flights are likely to strengthen PIA’s balance sheet, potentially raising its value as the government pushes ahead with plans to privatize the loss-making airline.