FILE PHOTO
ISLAMABAD: PIA resumed its operations to Europe after more than four years with the first flight leaving for Paris on Friday.
PK-749 left for Paris with 323 passengers on board after a ban imposed by the European Union’s air safety body was lifted a few weeks ago.
The European Air Safety Agency had imposed the ban on PIA flights to Europe in June 2020 after the then aviation minister claimed on the floor of National Assembly that many Pakistani pilots had fake licenses.
Speaking at a function held to see off the flight to Paris, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that the ban on the national flag carrier’s flights to Europe caused huge losses to the PIA. He said the ban was a result of an irresponsible statement.
He said that 100pc seats in the first flight to Paris was occupied. The minister said that the PIA was a national asset.
Officials told the participants of the function that PIA flights to other destinations in Europe would be launched soon.
