After a long wait of 4.5 years, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed its flights to Europe following the lifting of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ban.

The first flight, PK749, departed from Islamabad International Airport to Paris, carrying over 300 passengers, including PIA CEO Aamir Hayat.

A special ceremony marked the occasion at Islamabad airport, attended by Minister for Aviation Khawaja Asif, the aviation secretary, the Civil Aviation Authority director general, and French Embassy officials. The minister, along with the French Embassy staff, cut the ceremonial ribbon, symbolising a new chapter for PIA.

The flight is scheduled to land in Paris at 4pm local time after an eight-hour journey. Passengers will receive a warm welcome, and a celebratory ceremony is planned upon arrival. The return flight, PK750, will depart from Paris at 7pm local time the same day. Both flights have sold out, indicating strong demand for the service.

PIA will now operate two weekly flights from Islamabad to Paris on Fridays and Saturdays, facilitating thousands of passengers, particularly overseas Pakistanis.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his happiness over the resumption of flights to Europe, congratulating the nation on this milestone. He highlighted that the closure of flights had caused billions of dollars in losses to the national carrier and tarnished its reputation.

"The resumption of flights to Europe will greatly benefit Pakistanis living abroad by providing direct travel options. By the grace of Allah, we have restored PIA's image and placed it on the path to progress," the PM said.