KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to resume direct flights to Paris on Friday after a ban of more than four years.

This marked a significant step towards enhancing business, tourism, and people-to-people contacts. PIA spokesperson said that twice-weekly direct flights between Islamabad and Paris will commence on January 10, 2025. The first PIA flight – PK749 – will take off from Islamabad airport at 12:00pm, with more than 300 passengers onboard. Minister for Defense, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, PIA acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Khurram Mushtaq and Secretary Aviation will be present at Islamabad airport to see off the passengers in a simple ceremony. PIA spokesperson said that “The Boeing 777 of PIA will depart for Paris with fully loaded as the Paris flight operations are received with warm welcome from the passengers and the next four flights are also fully booked in advance”.