Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced the appointment of Khurram Mushtaq as acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as it prepares to resume operations to Europe, following the lifting of a longstanding ban by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
A PIA spokesperson confirmed on Sunday that the national carrier plans to restart flights to Europe within three to four weeks, beginning with Paris. This comes after EASA lifted a ban imposed in 2020, which barred the airline from operating in the European Union due to safety and compliance concerns.
The United Kingdom had similarly restricted PIA flights after an investigation into the authenticity of pilots’ licences was launched in the wake of a devastating crash in Karachi that claimed 97 lives.
Khurram Mushtaq, a senior executive overseeing PIA’s Commercial, Airport Services, Flight Services, Security, and Vigilance departments, will assume leadership following the completion of Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat’s tenure. The airline has yet to announce a timeline for appointing a permanent CEO.
The EASA ban, which lasted three years, cost PIA an estimated Rs. 40 billion ($144 million) annually. The airline’s management and the Pakistani government had actively lobbied for its removal, citing efforts to improve compliance with international aviation standards.
PIA holds a 23% share of Pakistan’s domestic aviation market but faces stiff competition from Middle Eastern carriers, which command 60% of the market. The airline’s current fleet of 34 aircraft has struggled to remain competitive without access to key international routes.
The government, which aims to sell a 60% stake in PIA as part of its privatisation strategy, has faced setbacks. A previous attempt to privatise the airline attracted a single bid from real estate developer Blue World City, which fell significantly short of the asking price.
The resumption of flights to Europe marks a critical juncture for PIA as it seeks to rebuild its international presence and financial stability. While the airline’s challenges remain significant, the lifting of the EASA ban is a positive step towards restoring its reputation and competitiveness on the global stage.
