Paris Flights Suspended, Birmingham Halted, and Manchester Relaunch Delayed
Special Report by Chaudhry Tabraiz Aurah
London :Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) continues to face major challenges in resuming its flight operations to the United Kingdom. Following the suspension of flights to Paris, operations from Birmingham are now also under consideration for closure, while the much-anticipated relaunch of Manchester flights on 14 August 2025 failed to materialize.
It is worth noting that after the UK lifted its ban on PIA, the national carrier had officially announced the resumption of Manchester flights on 14 August, a symbolic date coinciding with Pakistan’s Independence Day. However, due to operational hurdles, the airline was unable to follow through on its commitment.
Well-placed airline sources attribute the delays primarily to a shortage of aircraft and persistent administrative challenges. While PIA management has assured that efforts are being made to address these issues, passengers travelling between Pakistan and the UK continue to face uncertainty.
Industry insiders further suggest that genuine improvements in PIA’s performance are unlikely until the airline’s privatization is completed. Two international companies have already been shortlisted for the process, which is expected to be finalized by December 2025.
