Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed eight international flight routes over the past six months, according to a statement by the Aviation Ministry with the National Assembly.
The resumed flight routes include Islamabad to Paris, Turbat to Sharjah and Al Ain, Gwadar to Muscat, Lahore to Kuwait, Quetta to Jeddah and Faisalabad to Jeddah and Madinah.
As per the Aviation Ministry, the Islamabad-Paris route has been revived after nearly four years and five months, with 777 aircraft servicing the flights.
Flights between Gwadar and Muscat restarted after 13 months, while the Quetta to Jeddah route was restored following a suspension of three years and four months, both operated by ATR aircraft.
Similarly, the Turbat-Sharjah and Turbat-Al Ain routes resumed after four and five months, respectively, with ATR aircraft being used.
The Lahore-Kuwait route resumed operations after seven months, also using Airbus A320 aircraft.
Meanwhile, the Faisalabad-Jeddah and Faisalabad-Madinah routes were reintroduced after the same three-year, four-month gap, utilizing Airbus A320 aircraft.
The ministry stated that seven routes were previously halted due to aircraft shortages, while the Islamabad-Paris route had been restricted by the European Union.
Additionally, PIA has announced that it will initiate direct flights to the United States and Canada in the running year.
Earlier, on January 11, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced that PIA would launch direct flights to the United Kingdom by late February 2025.
Minister also mentioned that PIA is working to overcome the challenges, it has faced previously.
