KARACHI – Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has received official approval from the UK authorities to operate as a Third Country Operator (TCO) to the United Kingdom.
The airline is set to begin direct flight operations to the UK next month (October 2025).
In the first phase, PIA will start flights to Manchester, followed by the addition of Birmingham and London to its network in subsequent phases.
The announcement was made after the UK Department for Transport (DfT) formally communicated its approval to PIA yesterday.
With this comprehensive approval, PIA will not only operate passenger flights but also carry cargo as part of its operations to the UK.
Additionally, the UK Department for Transport issued the ACC3 certificate for PIA’s security and cargo operations, valid for five years.
These certifications, issued by international aviation bodies, reflect complete confidence in PIA’s safety standards and operational capabilities.
The CEO of PIA expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister of Defence Khawaja Asif, Ministry of Defence, Civil Aviation, and all associated agencies for their unwavering support in securing the approval.
He also thanked the PIA team for their resilience in successfully undergoing multiple audits over the last five years.
A day earlier, reports claimed that that the UK has issued a TCO license to Airblue, allowing the private airline to launch direct flights between the two countries.
PIA Suffered Loss of Rs9 Billion
PIA suffered an estimated loss of Rs 9 billion between 2011 and 2016 due to the widespread issuance of free and heavily discounted tickets, according to the latest 2024–25 audit findings released by the Auditor General of Pakistan.
The special audit of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) disclosed that 190,724 tickets were sold at discounted rates over a six-year span, with reductions ranging from 25% to 95%. Of these, 116,273 tickets were issued at a 95% discount, charging only 5% of the actual fare, even to non-employees on domestic and international routes. This practice alone is reported to have cost the airline Rs 3.5 billion.
In addition, 258,990 tickets were distributed free of charge between 2008 and 2017, resulting in a further loss of Rs 5.55 billion. The audit flagged these concessions as violations of financial discipline and evidence of weak internal controls, noting that such decisions were made without the required approvals from senior management.
The report criticized the lack of transparency, highlighting that fare reductions and free ticketing were carried out without formal authorization from the Chairman or Managing Director. It further pointed out that repeated reminders from the audit office between 2018 and 2023 went unanswered, as the Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) failed to hold meetings to resolve the matter.
The findings raise serious concerns over financial governance, accountability, and oversight within the national flag carrier.
