Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is making progress toward resuming direct flights to the United States, with an important inspection by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) scheduled for mid-March.
A team of five FAA officials will visit Pakistan to evaluate the country’s aviation safety and operational standards. Their assessment will determine whether Pakistan qualifies for a Category 1 rating, which is necessary for direct flights between the two countries to resume.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been working hard to meet international safety standards after Pakistan’s aviation rating was downgraded, leading to flight restrictions from the U.S., Europe, and the UK. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed, signaling progress toward restoring PIA’s international routes.
PIA’s direct flights to the U.S. were suspended in 2017, and since then, travelers have had to rely on connecting flights. In addition to resuming flights to the U.S., PIA also plans to restart services to the UK and expand its network to 19 destinations across Europe.
This move could significantly improve travel options for passengers and strengthen Pakistan aviation industry on the global stage.
