Pakistan International Arlines (PIA) : News / Updates

The 2 x LRs are needing the landing gear overhauls

PIA needs to bring back all the grounded B777s back to service if it wants to service the UK now in addition to Toronto. Also, Paris is currently its only stop in EU, how will they expand without widebodies.....
 
The 2 x LRs are needing the landing gear overhauls

PIA needs to bring back all the grounded B777s back to service if it wants to service the UK now in addition to Toronto. Also, Paris is currently its only stop in EU, how will they expand without widebodies.....

The 777s have reached their age limit, its time to ritire them.

Given that PIA cannot afford brand new aircrafts, we could buy fairly new ones from GCC carriers.

About 10 777s, 15 787s and 30 A320s are needed to sustain the demand and growth.
 
B787 or the A350 can serve PIA well if they can get them
PIA has decent number of A320s but they should get some longrange A321s for mideast and use widebodies to europe and north america as well as australia , malaysia etc
 

PIA to resume UK flights next month​


PIA secured formal approval from UK to operate as TCO

Web Desk
September 24, 2025


pia to resume uk flights next month


PIA to resume UK flights next month

Pakistan International Airlines has secured formal approval from the United Kingdom’s Department for Transport to operate as a Third Country Operator, clearing the way for the resumption of direct flights between Pakistan and the UK after years of suspension.

According to PIA, the national flag carrier will relaunch its UK operations next month, beginning with flights to Manchester. Services to Birmingham and London will follow in subsequent phases, gradually expanding the airline’s presence in one of its most significant international markets.

The UK authorities formally notified PIA of the approval this week, granting the airline comprehensive authorization to operate direct flights for both passengers and cargo. In addition, the Department for Transport has issued PIA a five-year ACC3 certification covering its security and cargo operations.

International aviation regulators noted that these certifications reflect renewed confidence in PIA’s safety protocols and operational standards, which had been under scrutiny for several years.

PIA Chief Executive Officer expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister, the Ministry of Defence, Civil Aviation Authority, and all supporting institutions for their patronage and cooperation in securing the approval. He also paid tribute to the PIA team, acknowledging their resilience in facing and completing multiple international audits over the past five years.
 

PIA to resume UK flights next month​


PIA secured formal approval from UK to operate as TCO

Web Desk
September 24, 2025


pia to resume uk flights next month


PIA to resume UK flights next month

Pakistan International Airlines has secured formal approval from the United Kingdom’s Department for Transport to operate as a Third Country Operator, clearing the way for the resumption of direct flights between Pakistan and the UK after years of suspension.

According to PIA, the national flag carrier will relaunch its UK operations next month, beginning with flights to Manchester. Services to Birmingham and London will follow in subsequent phases, gradually expanding the airline’s presence in one of its most significant international markets.

The UK authorities formally notified PIA of the approval this week, granting the airline comprehensive authorization to operate direct flights for both passengers and cargo. In addition, the Department for Transport has issued PIA a five-year ACC3 certification covering its security and cargo operations.

International aviation regulators noted that these certifications reflect renewed confidence in PIA’s safety protocols and operational standards, which had been under scrutiny for several years.

PIA Chief Executive Officer expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister, the Ministry of Defence, Civil Aviation Authority, and all supporting institutions for their patronage and cooperation in securing the approval. He also paid tribute to the PIA team, acknowledging their resilience in facing and completing multiple international audits over the past five years.
you need widebodies to fly there.......currently the B777 fleet is down to 4 out of 12, a bad state of affairs.
if they dont improve this, they would become a regional airline and wont be able to even serve UK and even Paris would end.
Imagine having 12 B777 and you only have 4 flying!! how long can u keep them active too?
 
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1965 late autumn, Maita Fish with a new coat & sweater at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan boarding the PIA Viscount turboprop going back to Rawalpindi,
 
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PIA privatisation in final stage, says Aurangzeb​


Govt actively considering outsourcing of Islamabad airport, privatisation of DISCOS: finance minister

Web Desk
October 08, 2025

pia privatisation in final stage says aurangzeb

PIA privatisation in final stage, says Aurangzeb

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines has entered its final stage, while the government is also actively considering the outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport and the privatisation of power distribution companies.

Aurangzeb made the remarks during a meeting on Tuesday with a delegation led by founder and CEO of Acumen Jacqueline Novogratz. The meeting focused on investment opportunities, climate resilience, and ongoing economic reforms in Pakistan.

In an official statement, the Ministry of Finance said the minister briefed the delegation on the government’s reform agenda and efforts to stabilise the economy while also underlining the use of artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and digital integration to expand the tax base, adding that fiscal discipline and tariff reforms remain vital to sustainable growth.

Aurangzeb said Pakistan aims to raise its tax-to-GDP ratio to 11 per cent, while also pursuing export-led growth to strengthen the economy. He noted progress in Pakistan-China economic cooperation, revealing that 24 new joint projects have been finalised under the bilateral framework.

Read More: Pakistan moves closer to Reko Diq revival with $3.5b funding deal

Discussing the government’s digitalisation drive, the finance minister said all government payments will be fully digitised by the end of the next fiscal year. He also confirmed that Pakistan plans to issue its first Panda bond by year’s end, while the recent $500 million Eurobond payment was completed without issue.


The finance minister acknowledged that Pakistan continues to face two major challenges — climate change and population growth — but said the government is committed to steering reforms that promote resilience and inclusion.

Novogratz lauded Pakistan’s efforts in promoting climate-resilient agriculture and poverty alleviation, describing the country’s development experience as “truly remarkable.”

The Ministry of Finance noted that Acumen currently operates a $90 million Agriculture Resilience Fund in Pakistan to support sustainable farming and climate adaptation initiatives.

The government’s renewed effort to privatise PIA follows a failed bid last year when only one offer — Rs10 billion ($36 million) from real estate developer Blue World City — was received for a 60 per cent stake. The offer, well below the government’s floor price of Rs85 billion ($305 million), was rejected.

The Privatisation Commission reopened the process in April 2025, inviting expressions of interest for a 51 to 100 percent stake from both domestic and international investors.
 
PIA has great potential if the debt and pension obligations are offloaded to someone else AND the new owner can fire 60% of the workforce to address the over staffing issues. Just look at the international traffic to Pakistan alone and how miserably PIA has failed to capture a share of that market.
 

Pakistan enters final stage of PIA privatisation as part of wider economic reforms​


Govt actively considering outsourcing of Islamabad airport, privatisation of DISCOS: finance minister

Web Desk
October 08, 2025


pakistan enters final stage of pia privatisation as part of wider economic reforms


Pakistan enters final stage of PIA privatisation as part of wider economic reforms

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines has entered its final stage, while the government is also actively considering the outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport and the privatisation of power distribution companies.

Aurangzeb made the remarks during a meeting on Tuesday with a delegation led by founder and CEO of Acumen Jacqueline Novogratz. The meeting focused on investment opportunities, climate resilience, and ongoing economic reforms in Pakistan.

In an official statement, the Ministry of Finance said the minister briefed the delegation on the government’s reform agenda and efforts to stabilise the economy while also underlining the use of artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and digital integration to expand the tax base, adding that fiscal discipline and tariff reforms remain vital to sustainable growth.

Aurangzeb said Pakistan aims to raise its tax-to-GDP ratio to 11 per cent, while also pursuing export-led growth to strengthen the economy. He noted progress in Pakistan-China economic cooperation, revealing that 24 new joint projects have been finalised under the bilateral framework.

Discussing the government’s digitalisation drive, the finance minister said all government payments will be fully digitised by the end of the next fiscal year. He also confirmed that Pakistan plans to issue its first Panda bond by year’s end, while the recent $500 million Eurobond payment was completed without issue.

The finance minister acknowledged that Pakistan continues to face two major challenges — climate change and population growth — but said the government is committed to steering reforms that promote resilience and inclusion.

Novogratz lauded Pakistan’s efforts in promoting climate-resilient agriculture and poverty alleviation, describing the country’s development experience as “truly remarkable.”

The Ministry of Finance noted that Acumen currently operates a $90 million Agriculture Resilience Fund in Pakistan to support sustainable farming and climate adaptation initiatives.
 
The government’s renewed effort to privatise PIA follows a failed bid last year when only one offer — Rs10 billion ($36 million) from real estate developer Blue World City — was received for a 60 per cent stake. The offer, well below the government’s floor price of Rs85 billion ($305 million), was rejected.

The Privatisation Commission reopened the process in April 2025, inviting expressions of interest for a 51 to 100 percent stake from both domestic and international investors.

The renewed process attracted interest from eight entities, with four — including leading business groups and a private education operator — shortlisted after federal approval in July. Final bidding and negotiations are expected in the fourth quarter of 2025.

The sale of PIA is expected to mark Pakistan’s first major privatisation in nearly two decades. Reviving loss-making state-owned enterprises like PIA remains a key structural benchmark under the country’s ongoing $7 billion International Monetary Fund bailout programme.
 
Gilgit Air Port , 1982

1759957059143.png
 
Pakistan’s privatization drive is entering its final stretch, with three major institutions—Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), First Women Bank Limited (FWBL), and House Building Finance Corporation (HBFC)—moving toward handover to private investors, Parliamentary Secretary for Privatization Aasia Ishaque Siddiqui told the National Assembly on Friday.


She said bids for FWBL have already been received and will be opened on Monday, October 13. The Sale Purchase Agreement (SPA) is targeted for October 17, with a UAE-based international holding company expected to acquire the bank—marking one of the most significant foreign entries into Pakistan’s financial sector this year.

Turning to HBFC, she noted that bids will be received on October 24 and opened on October 27, with the government aiming to conclude its SPA shortly thereafter.


On the aviation front, Ishaque confirmed that the pre-bidding phase for PIA has been finalized. The government is preparing to enter the bidding round by mid to late November 2025, pending procedural approvals.

Highlighting the broader rationale, she stressed that these privatization efforts are designed to improve operational efficiency, attract foreign capital, and reduce the financial load on public resources by involving credible international investors.
 

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