Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is gearing up to resume direct flights to the United Kingdom from August 14, marking a significant development after four years.

The announcement comes as a boon for Pakistanis residing in the UK and Europe, offering them convenient and direct connectivity to their homeland.

A PIA spokesman hoped that the airlines would receive phase-wise permission from the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) this month. In a recent meeting with the Council of Economics and Energy Journalists, the spokesperson shed light on the airline's plans for expanding its operations.

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As soon as the permission was granted, the PIA would resume services to Paris next month, adding that the PIA had expedited repair work on its 777 aircraft fleet to ensure compliance with safety standards and operational readiness for European and UK routes.

Spokesman Abdullah Hafeez said currently, PIA boasts seven 777 aircraft in operation, with plans to introduce two more planes into service within the next two months.

He further said the PIA had air service agreements with a staggering 97 countries, facilitating seamless travel and trade links worldwide.

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Meanwhile, a meeting of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's review board regarding the lifting of the ban on European flights of Pakistani airlines, including PIA, will be held on May 14.

A high-level delegation led by the aviation secretary will leave for Brussels on Sunday to participate in the meeting. Reports on audits of important sectors of civil aviation and PIA would be presented in the IASA review board meeting. The Civil Aviation Authority has also successfully passed the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Universal Aviation Security Audit.

While the CAA has also achieved success in the assessment of key areas of the authority by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. According to aviation sources, there were bright chances of lifting of the ban on Pakistani airlines.