PIA continues flights to the UK this month

• Manchester’s flights to resume the first phase.
• Birmingham, London routes to gradually follow.
• Move to relax the trips to Pakistani Diaspora.

Pakistani international airlines (PIA) are going to continue flights to the United Kingdom this month, Pakistan’s High Committee announced in London on Friday.

The evolution comes after the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued the Foreign Aircraft License (FOP), the final clearance required for commercial operations.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, thanked the United Kingdom CAA for its cooperation, noting that PIA had already secured the approval of the third country (TCO).

In the first phase, flights will be repeated to Manchester, followed by businesses to Birmingham and London.

The High Committee said PIA’s return would provide relief to over 1.7 million Pakistanis living in the United Kingdom, ensuring easier and more immediate trip to Pakistan.

Last month, the National Flag Body announced that it had received TCO certification from the United Kingdom Authorities, paving the way for the repetition of work in Britain already next month.

Meanwhile, a letter issued by the UK Transport Department (DFT) confirmed the permanent approval of the PIA for the operation of Flights from Islamabad, Lachoris and Karachi in Britain. The names in the UK Air Force of Air Force are valid until August 2030.

The United Kingdom Authorities and European Air Force banned PIA from operating flights in July 2020 after the “false pilot license scandal”.

In 2021, Pakistan was placed on the United Kingdom’s Air Security catalog due to serious security concerns. Since then, Pakistani and British Air Force regulators have worked closely to deal with shortcomings.

In July 2025, the United Kingdom Air Security Committee announced Pakistan’s removal from the Air Security list, clearing the way for airlines to be implemented again for flight rights. The Commission noted that the decision followed the continued technical cooperation with PCAA and a thorough review of security surveillance standards.

Last year, the European Union (EU) has raised the ban on PIA and other operators in different European destinations.

After the ban was removed, PIA took advantage of its first direct flight from Islamabad to Paris this January.