The return of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to European skies with direct flights to Paris after a four-year hiatus could prove a godsend for the government’s efforts to privatize the flag carrier.
In 2020, PIA was banned from flying to Europe after allegations of safety lapses, including claims about ‘fake’ pilot licenses. Though later disproven, the damage was severe. PIA lost valuable international routes, further increasing the annual losses incurred by the national flag carrier. The resumption of flights to Europe hopes to reverse the decline, paving the way for PIA’s much-needed revitalization and privatization process.
Resuming direct flights to Europe opens avenues for trade, tourism, and connectivity. It improves logistics for Pakistani exports, particularly textiles, while offering affordable travel options for overseas Pakistanis.
Significantly, PIA’s return to European routes also sends a strong message to potential investors regarding the airline’s sincerity to regaining its position as a competitive international carrier. When the government failed to attract bids for its last attempt at PIA’s privatization, investors had noted concerns with taxation measures and a lack of international routes. In addition to the restoration of the Paris route, the government has said it is also working on offering tax concessions, allaying both concerns.
The government must act swiftly to cement this progress. Procrastination would squander a rare opportunity to transform PIA into an asset rather than a liability.
The airline’s chronic financial woes and operational inefficiencies have persisted largely due to state ownership and political interference. Privatization offers a pathway to inject professionalism, improve service quality, and ensure financial discipline. Only by maintaining the momentum achieved through restoration of the Europe routes can the government accelerate structural reforms needed to make PIA an attractive investment opportunity. Failure to build on this progress risks leaving PIA mired in losses, jeopardizing not just the airline, but the broader economic benefits it can deliver.
As the wheels of PIA’s aircraft once again touch down on European soil, the time has come to once more herald PIA as a symbol of national pride and economic vitality. Privatization is not just a financial necessity, but a moral imperative. Now is the time for PIA to shed its troubled past and emerge as a phoenix, rising to reclaim its place in the skies.