From May, PIA expects to restart direct flights to US

Starting in May, Pakistan International Airline (PIA) anticipates resuming direct flights to the United States, pending final approval from the US Transportation Administration, according to Abdullah Hafeez, the spokesperson for the national flag carrier.

Hafeez mentioned that PIA has addressed and implemented all recommendations from the transportation authority, including the installation of screening machines at major airports such as Karachi and Islamabad. He noted that discussions between the US administration and the Pakistani national airline have been ongoing for two years, and PIA has taken all necessary measures as advised.

The spokesperson revealed that a delegation from the US transportation authority is expected to grant final approval in May. Abdullah Hafeez outlined PIA’s prepared flight plan, indicating that initially, three direct flights per week will operate to New York, with the possibility of increasing the frequency over time.

PIA officials claim that the US Transport Security Authority conducted a thorough audit of the security protocols for PIA’s fleet and major airports in Pakistan. Additionally, the US Homeland Security visited Pakistan in this regard.

Due to security concerns, the US had previously restricted non-stop flights originating from Pakistani airports into its airspace. In October 2017, PIA had discontinued its flights to the US due to escalating operational costs and an effort to mitigate the losses it was facing.