PIA Aims to Resume US Flights as FAA Team Prepares for Mid-April Audit
A five-member delegation from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is scheduled to visit Pakistan in mid-April to evaluate Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for the resumption of direct flights to the United States, according to media reports. The review will determine if PIA meets the criteria for upgrading from Category II to Category I, a necessary step for regaining access to U.S. airspace.
The assessment comes as PIA works toward restoring its global network, following the resumption of flights to the European Union in January and ongoing negotiations with the United Kingdom. To support this effort, an MoU has been signed, and $75,000 has been allocated for consultancy services.
PIA’s international operations to the U.S., UK, and EU were suspended in July 2020 after former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan claimed that numerous pilot licenses had been fraudulently issued. This statement led to worldwide scrutiny and bans on PIA’s major routes.
Before the suspension, PIA operated six weekly flights to U.S. cities, including New York and Chicago. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was allowed to conduct limited chartered flights to the U.S. under special arrangements.
In a separate development, PIA has introduced a strict policy prohibiting photography and videography during aircraft maintenance. Citing security risks and confidentiality concerns, the airline warned that unauthorized visual documentation could result in disciplinary action.
Under the new directive, only designated personnel—such as engineers or authorized security staff—are permitted to capture images during maintenance activities. The airline stated that the policy is aimed at safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring secure operational procedures.