In a major milestone for Pakistan’s national carrier and a moment of deep relief for the Pakistani diaspora, the first PIA flight in five years has successfully landed in Manchester from Islamabad, officially ending a long and damaging suspension.
The event signified more than just a flight resumption; it marked the reconnection of a vital bridge between the two nations. A PIA spokesperson confirmed that the Boeing 777 aircraft completed its 5-hour direct journey, touching down at 5 PM local time.
Emotional scenes unfolded at Manchester Airport as a large crowd of overseas Pakistanis gathered to give the flight a heartfelt welcome. The terminal echoed with chants of “Pakistan Zindabad” (Long Live Pakistan), reflecting the community’s profound joy at the restoration of this critical travel link.
The resumption of the UK operations was formally inaugurated a day earlier by Federal Minister for Aviation and Defence, Khawaja Asif. The presence of the British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott, at the ceremony underscored the diplomatic significance of the move, signaling renewed trust and cooperation.
This flight closes a difficult chapter for PIA, which was banned by the UK and the European Union in 2020. The suspension followed a damaging controversy sparked by Pakistan’s previous aviation minister regarding the authenticity of pilot licenses, which had severely impacted the airline’s international reputation.
