Reason Behind Delay in Direct Pakistani Flights to UK

Uncertainty surrounds the start of direct Pakistani flights to the UK, as officials remain unable to provide a clear date for when operations will begin, despite the ban being lifted more than a month ago.

The main reason behind the delay is the procurement of a third-country operator (TCO) license, which has become the key stumbling block. According to reports, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), and private carriers continue to pass the responsibility of securing the license on to each other. According to the CAA, it is the airlines’ responsibility, while the airlines argue it falls under the CAA’s jurisdiction.

A spokesperson for PIA confirmed that flight schedules to the UK will be announced once the necessary approval is granted. Private airlines also stated that they have completed all arrangements but are waiting for the license to begin operations.

Earlier, authorities had provided multiple tentative dates for the resumption of direct Pakistani flights to the UK. Initial expectations suggested flights would resume on August 14 or 16, followed by a revised timeline in the first week of September. However, none of these deadlines were met, leaving passengers waiting for clarity.

For now, direct Pakistani flights to the UK remain on hold, with the licensing dispute continuing to delay operations despite strong passenger demand.