After half a decade of turbulence, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has finally touched down in the United Kingdom once again, marking a significant milestone for the embattled national carrier and the millions of Pakistanis with ties to Britain. On October 25, 2025, PIA’s first direct flight from Islamabad to Manchester departed with 284 passengers on board, symbolizing not just a restored air route but also a hard-won restoration of trust in Pakistan’s aviation system.
This comeback follows a dramatic and painful chapter for PIA. The airline was banned from flying to the UK and the European Union in June 2020, after a tragic crash in Karachi claimed nearly 100 lives. The catastrophe was quickly followed by revelations that a significant number of Pakistani pilots were flying with fraudulent licenses—an explosive scandal that rocked the aviation industry and led to immediate, sweeping bans by both the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority. According to AP, the deadly Karachi crash was ultimately blamed on human error, but it was the subsequent license scandal that truly grounded the airline’s future.
For five years, PIA’s absence from UK skies was a sore point for many. Over 1.4 million Pakistanis live in Britain and Europe, and for them, the loss of direct flights meant not only inconvenience but also a painful disconnect from their homeland. As Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif put it during a ceremony at Islamabad International Airport, “Providing them with direct flights is both a moral and national duty. These services will save them time, offer reasonable fares, and provide direct air links to their homeland.”
But what exactly changed to allow PIA’s return? The answer lies in a series of exhaustive reforms and inspections that began in the wake of the ban. Over the past several years, Pakistani authorities have overhauled nearly every aspect of the national carrier’s operations. Pilot training and licensing procedures were revamped from the ground up, aircraft maintenance protocols were tightened, and safety standards were brought in line with international norms. As Defence Minister Asif declared, “After a long and difficult delay of five years, today the resumption of flights from Islamabad to Manchester is a feat we have achieved through our hard work and determination.”
These efforts did not go unnoticed. In November 2024, EASA lifted its ban after conducting extensive safety audits, clearing the way for PIA to resume some of its suspended routes as early as January 2025. The UK followed suit in July 2025, removing Pakistan from its Air Safety List and allowing Pakistani airlines to once again apply for flight operations in Britain. According to AFP, British authorities concluded that Pakistan’s aviation safety standards were now “satisfactory and in line with international norms.”
The first Islamabad-to-Manchester flight on October 25, 2025, was more than just a logistical achievement—it was a moment of national pride. The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including Defence Minister Asif, who underscored the importance of the occasion. He told those gathered at the airport, “The flight to Manchester is a remarkable beginning, but we are firmly determined to start flights to London and Birmingham next.” The airline has already announced plans to operate two weekly flights between Islamabad and Manchester, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with the intention of gradually expanding to London and Birmingham.
PIA’s return to the UK is not just a matter of convenience for travelers; it also carries significant economic implications. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Faisal, praised the relaunch as a “major step forward for economic and cultural ties between the two nations.” He added, “This milestone will bring major economic benefits; generating substantial revenue, boosting trade and tourism, and expanding the movement of people and goods.” For a country that relies heavily on remittances from its overseas citizens, direct air links are more than a luxury—they are a lifeline.
Behind the scenes, however, PIA’s journey has been anything but smooth. The airline, which employs around 7,000 people, has long struggled with debt, mismanagement, and regulatory woes. The government has even pledged to privatize the carrier, though a deal reportedly collapsed in 2024 when the buyer’s offer fell far short of expectations. Founded in 1955, PIA was once a symbol of national pride and rapid growth, but its reputation has suffered in recent decades due to financial losses and repeated safety lapses. The fake license scandal was just the latest—and perhaps most damaging—blow.
Yet, for all its troubles, the airline’s leadership is determined to turn the page. Asif emphasized that the reforms undertaken were not just about ticking boxes for international regulators, but about restoring the credibility of Pakistan’s aviation sector as a whole. The aviation ministry, he said, has “completely overhauled pilot training, licensing and aircraft maintenance functions.” According to TravelMole, this comprehensive approach was essential to regaining the confidence of both EASA and the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
For now, the focus is on stability and gradual growth. PIA’s twice-weekly flights to Manchester are just the beginning, with plans to add routes to London, Birmingham, and even Paris, following the EU’s own lifting of restrictions. The airline’s management is keenly aware that regaining the public’s trust—both at home and abroad—will take time and consistent performance. But the symbolism of that first Boeing 777 touching down in Manchester cannot be overstated. It’s a testament to resilience, reform, and the enduring ties that bind Pakistan to its diaspora.
As the first group of passengers disembarked in Manchester, there was a palpable sense of relief and optimism. For many, it was a long-awaited reunion with family; for others, a sign that Pakistan is once again open for business on the global stage. The road ahead for PIA remains challenging, but for now, its wings are unclipped and its course is set for a new chapter.
