RAWALPINDI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to scale back its flight operations to Paris by suspending services from Lahore, citing a decline in passenger demand.
A PIA spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that flights on the Islamabad–Paris route will continue to operate as scheduled, while the Lahore–Paris connection will be discontinued from mid-September. The last two flights on this route are set for September 12 and September 17.
PIA had only recently launched the direct Lahore–Paris service in June, operating twice a week. However, with limited bookings, the airline opted to shift its focus.
Meanwhile, the national flag carrier has begun refurbishing two aircraft in preparation for the resumption of flights to Manchester. According to the spokesperson, the aircraft being withdrawn from the Lahore–Paris route will undergo renovation as part of these plans.
PIA expects to secure “Third Country Operator” authorization by mid-September, a regulatory requirement for flights to the United Kingdom. The airline hopes to restart services soon after receiving clearance.
The development follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s decision last November to lift its ban on PIA flights within the bloc, a move that had grounded the airline in Europe for several years.
