Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will soon begin direct flights to Barcelona and Milan as part of its post-reopening expansion into European destinations, following directives from Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
The move comes after the national carrier resumed its European operations, which had been suspended for several years. The defence minister urged PIA to prioritize these two routes due to the large Pakistani expatriate communities living in both cities.
Milan is of particular significance, as it hosts a substantial population from Sialkot, Asif’s hometown, making it a key destination in the airline’s network.
The renewed push for European connectivity follows the United Kingdom’s decision in July to remove Pakistan from its air safety list. The announcement, made by British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, ended a five-year ban on Pakistani airlines operating in British airspace. She praised the collaborative efforts of aviation authorities from both countries and expressed interest in flying with Pakistani carriers.
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In response to the UK clearance, PIA quickly launched three weekly Boeing 777 flights to Manchester. In the next phase, the airline plans to restore services from Islamabad and Lahore to London and Birmingham, subject to final approvals.