Overview
- Pakistan International Airlines received Third Country Operator clearance from UK authorities, with the carrier planning to restart service next month beginning with Manchester and adding Birmingham and London in later phases.
- The UK Department for Transport also issued ACC3 cargo security certification, valid for five years through August 2030, authorizing cargo operations from Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
- British authorities retained the right to conduct sudden inspections of PIA procedures, and screening changes mean EDS machines are no longer required for UK‑bound cargo from Islamabad and Lahore.
- Pakistan was removed from the UK Air Safety List in July 2025 after sustained technical cooperation, reopening the door for Pakistani carriers to seek permissions.
- PIA thanked Pakistani officials for support as it works to restore services, while facing limited aircraft availability and audit‑flagged financial and governance weaknesses that could slow expansion.