PIA flights to US may also resume

After the resumption of Pakistani airlines' — particularly PIA's — flight operations in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK), progress has also been made in talks with the aviation authority in the United States (US), kindling hopes of the resumption of flights to the US also.

A team from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) held week-long consultations with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), assisted by US Embassy representatives. Discussions reviewed Pakistan's legal, regulatory, and operational framework for civil aviation.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening aviation safety and oversight.

Following the meetings, the FAA delegation returned to the US and will soon share its findings. The CEO of the PIA also met the team and briefed them on airline operations.

According to CAA sources, there is strong hope that US flights will restart soon, as many safety and licensing concerns have been addressed. The FAA team appeared satisfied.

The EU, the UK and the US suspended flights from Pakistan after the then minister for aviation in prime minister Imran Khan's cabinet revealed in a parliamentary session that pilots were given license in Pakistan without proper training.

Meanwhile, the PIA has announced the temporary suspension of its flights from Pakistan to Canada this month due to scheduled maintenance of its long-range aircraft.

According to the airline, the special Boeing 777 long-range planes used for the route are capable of nonstop flights of up to 17 hours. Both aircraft will undergo a three-week technical inspection and parts replacement, a process required every 10 years.

The maintenance, PIA said, is intended to ensure the fleet is fully prepared ahead of the anticipated rise in passenger demand next month. "PIA regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers, but their safety and the complete fitness of aircraft remain the airline's foremost priority," a spokesperson stated.