Pakistan International Airlines

The Pakistan government will soon consider whether to grant final approval for a plan to sell a majority stake in Pakistan International Airlines.

Talks are under way between EASA and the Pakistan CAA over allowing Pakistan International Airways (PIA) to resume flights to the European Union (EU).

EASA banned Pakistani carriers from flying to the EU in 2020 following a fatal PIA crash.

As British Airways begins a second route to Pakistan, Routes looks at the state of the country’s somewhat underexploited aviation market.

Just weeks after Virgin Atlantic unveiled plans to serve Lahore, Pakistan, British Airways has signaled its intention to enter the market.

Routes analyzes some of the services returning as well as new routes being launched. This week we look at Virgin Atlantic’s move into the UK-Pakistan market; Jetstar’s resumption of Sunshine Coast-Adelaide flights; and the launch of a new Widerøe route from Bergen.

Pakistan International Airlines has been cleared to resume two routes to the UK using aircraft chartered from Portuguese wet-lease operator Hi Fly.

Islamabad-New York route is subject to final TSA approval.

This week: American Airlines expands European focus; new Bordeaux route for AirBaltic; and Pakistan International Airlines to fly Karachi–Bangkok.

The privately-owned Serene Air commenced flights on January 29, 2017 between Karachi and Islamabad after securing its air operator certificate just a week earlier. The airline is also offering flights between Jinnah International Airport in Karachi and Faisalabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta, with the latter also being served from Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad too.