PIA Restores Lahore–Paris Flights After EU Ban Lifted

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will resume nonstop service between Lahore and Paris on June 18, 2025, marking a key milestone in its efforts to rebuild its European network. The service, operated weekly with Boeing 777-200LR aircraft, will complement the airline’s existing twice-weekly Islamabad–Paris flights and restore direct connectivity on Pakistan’s second-largest city pair to France.

The move follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) decision in late 2024 to lift a four-year ban on PIA flights to Europe. The ban was originally imposed in May 2020 after the crash of Flight 8303 in Karachi and the discovery of serious pilot licensing irregularities. EASA reinstated PIA’s access after a series of successful audits and inspections of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority’s safety oversight practices, restoring confidence in the country’s aviation standards.

Prior to the suspension, PIA had a significant European presence with 17 routes across the EU and UK, including cities like Barcelona, Copenhagen, Milan, and multiple destinations in the United Kingdom. In early 2020, the airline operated an average of 34 weekly roundtrips, offering over 23,000 two-way seats.

The Lahore–Paris route, last flown in 2020, accounted for roughly 29,000 passengers in 2024, making it the second-largest city pair between Pakistan and France. The total market between the two countries reached approximately 88,400 two-way passengers last year, down 4.5% from 2023, according to Sabre Market Intelligence.

The resumption aligns with a broader operational and financial turnaround at PIA. In April, the airline reported its first annual profit in over two decades, posting a net income of PKR26.2 billion ($33 million) and an operating profit of PKR9.3 billion for fiscal year 2024. The performance rebound is attributed to structural reforms, including cost-cutting measures, improved workforce efficiency, and optimized route planning.

Despite recent gains, PIA continues to navigate challenges, including regional airspace restrictions stemming from increased geopolitical tensions with India. However, the restoration of EU access and the return of key routes like Lahore–Paris signal renewed momentum for the airline’s long-haul ambitions and its path toward international recovery.

With nonstop connectivity restored to France and plans underway to reclaim its broader European footprint, PIA is poised to strengthen its global presence while continuing its internal transformation.

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