ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has started its operations to Europe after its first direct flight for Paris departed from Islamabad airport on Friday after a suspension of over four years. A ceremony was held at the airport with Minister of Aviation Khawaja Asif, PIA acting CEO and other officials in presence. Speaking on the occasion, the minister termed it a historic day for government, PIA and Civil Aviation Authority, stating that they have finally reaped the rewards of their hard work. He expressed gratitude towards all those who made direct flights possible. Khawaja Asif highlighted that overseas Pakistanis previously had to travel via Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, or other locations to reach Pakistan, which made travel expensive. Referring to a statement made by the former Minister of Aviation Ghulam Sarwar, he noted that it led to a huge setback, with overseas Pakistanis being unable to fly directly to Pakistan for over four and a half years. He lamented that such wrong decisions are not held accountable in the country. He emphasized that a single statement had caused immense damage. Khawaja Asif further stated that in the coming days, flights will be launched to the UK and the USA. Reflecting on the past, Khawaja Asif added that there was a time when PIA was the leading airline in the world. Reports said the passengers of the flight will also be welcomed by Pakistani officials at the Paris airport. Pakistan national air carrier used to operate flights to Barcelona, Birmingham, Bradford, and London and other cities before being slapped with ban. The airline is also planning to reintroduce flights to Copenhagen, Oslo, and Amsterdam as part of its broader strategy to rebuild its European network. In addition to EU destinations, the airline is looking to resume services to New York, pending approval from the United States. The airline also allocated six Boeing 777 aircraft to support operations to Europe, the UK, and the US as it works to expand its global network. The recent development comes as EASA lifted ban on Pakistani airlines amid improved safety conditions. The suspension started in 2020, now ended, marking major milestone for Pakistan’s aviation sector. More from this category Copyright ©2024. Reproduction of this website's content without express written permission from 'Daily Pakistan' is strictly prohibited.