PIA Seeks UK Approval to Resume Flights to Manchester
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has formally requested clearance from the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) to resume flight operations to Manchester, sources revealed on Wednesday.
The airline has submitted a written application and is optimistic about receiving flight approval within the coming days. Initially, PIA intends to restart its Islamabad to Manchester route, with plans to expand operations to London and Birmingham at a later stage through separate formal requests.
This development follows the UK CAA’s decision to lift its ban on Pakistani airlines, which had been imposed over concerns related to pilot licensing irregularities—an issue raised during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s tenure.
In a statement, the British High Commission confirmed that Pakistani carriers are now eligible to seek operational clearance. The decision to remove Pakistan from the UK’s aviation safety list was described as a “technical and independent” process.
The resumption of flights is expected to strengthen UK-Pakistan ties, benefiting over 1.6 million people of Pakistani origin living in the UK, along with thousands of British nationals with connections to Pakistan.
With the United Kingdom being Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner—accounting for £4.7 billion in annual bilateral trade—experts believe the return of direct flights will enhance tourism, business, and family connections between the two countries.
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