PIA expands charter flights operation for UK

Keeping in view the recent lifting of restrictions on Pakistani travelers by the UK government, the PIA has sought bids from the charter aircraft companies to boost its flight's operations to Britain and Europe, an airline spokesman told on Saturday.

The PIA sought the service for charter flights for six months – from November 2021 to April 2022. The charter aircraft company must have International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) operational audit operator certificate.

The PIA needs 250-seater planes for the charter service.

According to the PIA, charter flights will be operated to London, Manchester, Birmingham, Paris, and Milan from Islamabad and Lahore.

The PIA was operating charter flights as an alternative to keep running its flight operation after a ban on the airline’s flights in the UK and Europe and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the PIA spokesman said, adding the new charter flights will facilitate the travelers as well as boost the revenue for the airline.