Profitable again, PIA sets sights on UK routes and Turkish partnership

Pakistan’s national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), has been operating profitably since March 2024, a government official told the parliament on Wednesday.

During the National Assembly’s Question Hour, Parliamentary Secretary Zeb Jaffar said PIA had recovered financially and had resumed flights to the European Union, including services to Paris.

Responding to a query from MNA Sharmila Faruqi, Jaffar noted that damaging remarks made previously on the floor of the House had negatively impacted the airline’s performance and reputation.

“The consequences of those remarks were felt by the country,” she said.

He was referring to a controversial statement made in parliament by former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which resulted in a ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to multiple countries.

Jaffar confirmed that renewed engagement with the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had enabled PIA to restart flights to Europe. She added that discussions with UK aviation regulators were also progressing.

Talks are also under way with Turkish Airlines to enhance international connectivity for Pakistani passengers, she said.

The government aims to expand PIA’s operations to profitable destinations, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. Jaffar emphasised that these efforts are ongoing and their results will become more evident in the coming months.

PIA has also launched direct flights from Lahore to Azerbaijan's Baku, as part of its ongoing push to strengthen international air links and promote tourism.

Last month, PIA reported its first annual profit in 21 years and marked a significant turnaround as it moved forward with plans to sell the airline

According to documents seen by Bloomberg, PIA recorded earnings per share of Rs5.01 for the year ending in December, its first profitable year since 2003, based on audited financial statements.