PIA Planning to Operate 19 Weekly Flights to European Destinations

[TheAnalyst]

AMS was axed by PIA in 2013. The landscape has changed in AMS. EK started in 2010 with one daily flight and now operates three daily flights.

Meanwhile, QR started in 2015 with one daily flight to AMS and has increased to 17 weekly flights. Slots are an issue, there are many airlines waiting for extra slots. If in 2013 AMS was not profitable, I wonder how they will cope with the increased competition. AMS should not be considered again.

[b78709]

I guess PIA is eyeing interline traffic to/from US, LATAM, Western Canada with AF-KLM group via AMS/CDG. Inclusion of AMS and IST in the interline agreement with AF hints in this direction. PIA website already shows CDG-IST flight connections. AMS/CDG hubs of the AF-KLM group can be very profitable for PIA, if executed properly. Only drawback is EU DAT visa requirement at AMS/CDG for Pakistani passport.

[Usman123]

Hello...its been years since I've come back to this forum as I was getting bored at office so decided to check out some latest PIA news.

Welcome back.

Its a vicious circle. the poor service reduces frequency and that increases losses and PIA has large fixed cost. Lower frequency further moves passengers away from PIA.

That is why I have been a firmly believe that PIA should get 200 seater to operate to Europe.

the only fuel efficient option is the A321-LR.

Same layout as TAP with 171 seats, that should be feasible for most cities. Four flights to each city two from Lahore and two from Islamabad.
that might work.

You are right sir but the financials are the main concern, A321 Neo XLR can be very profitable for PIA flying to China, Malaysia, Thailand, Srilanka, Italy, Spain all EU low pax stations etc


And A321 Neo normal variant for Jeddah,

PIA could earn double profit just by switching to only a narrow body fleet these Narrow body long range Game changing aircraft by Airbus are very high in demand and delivery slots are booked until 2031 atleast

so PIA can't get hands on these or you'll have to wait atleast 5 years

[faisal-777]

I guess PIA is eyeing interline traffic to/from US, LATAM, Western Canada with AF-KLM group via AMS/CDG. Inclusion of AMS and IST in the interline agreement with AF hints in this direction. PIA website already shows CDG-IST flight connections. AMS/CDG hubs of the AF-KLM group can be very profitable for PIA, if executed properly. Only drawback is EU DAT visa requirement at AMS/CDG for Pakistani passport.

If this transit visa (Visa A)requirement is removed for Pakistanis transiting via European airports, actually some European carriers will surely consider PK operations. Europe is a perfect midway stopover point for journey onto USA /Canada where a large PK diaspora lives. It will definitely give serious challenge to middle eastern carriers who are geographically a bad option for flying to USA/Canada.

Any mainland EU capital would be an ideal transit point for this traffic, Around 7 hours hop to Europe and next hop also 7-10 hours.

[muradmohsin]

I guess PIA is eyeing interline traffic to/from US, LATAM, Western Canada with AF-KLM group via AMS/CDG. Inclusion of AMS and IST in the interline agreement with AF hints in this direction. PIA website already shows CDG-IST flight connections. AMS/CDG hubs of the AF-KLM group can be very profitable for PIA, if executed properly. Only drawback is EU DAT visa requirement at AMS/CDG for Pakistani passport.

If this transit visa (Visa A)requirement is removed for Pakistanis transiting via European airports, actually some European carriers will surely consider PK operations. Europe is a perfect midway stopover point for journey onto USA /Canada where a large PK diaspora lives. It will definitely give serious challenge to middle eastern carriers who are geographically a bad option for flying to USA/Canada.

Any mainland EU capital would be an ideal transit point for this traffic, Around 7 hours hop to Europe and next hop also 7-10 hours.

London also seems like an ideal stopover point for trips to the US but BA hasn't entered the US transit market at all for some reason, especially since they moved ISB operations to Gatwick. Virgin also stopped all flights to Pakistan during the pandemic. Wonder why these airlines don't start services from Heathrow to Pak connecting travelers from the US and onwards on the way back. The leg times seem ideal as you mentioned and I transited via Heathrow last week from the US and it was actually a pleasant experience. Would be nice to be able to do so without hopping on another airline or stopping over in Doha, which has become pretty pricey.

Plus, no transit visa requirement.

[planefan2003]

I guess PIA is eyeing interline traffic to/from US, LATAM, Western Canada with AF-KLM group via AMS/CDG. Inclusion of AMS and IST in the interline agreement with AF hints in this direction. PIA website already shows CDG-IST flight connections. AMS/CDG hubs of the AF-KLM group can be very profitable for PIA, if executed properly. Only drawback is EU DAT visa requirement at AMS/CDG for Pakistani passport.

If this transit visa (Visa A)requirement is removed for Pakistanis transiting via European airports, actually some European carriers will surely consider PK operations. Europe is a perfect midway stopover point for journey onto USA /Canada where a large PK diaspora lives. It will definitely give serious challenge to middle eastern carriers who are geographically a bad option for flying to USA/Canada.

Any mainland EU capital would be an ideal transit point for this traffic, Around 7 hours hop to Europe and next hop also 7-10 hours.

London also seems like an ideal stopover point for trips to the US but BA hasn't entered the US transit market at all for some reason, especially since they moved ISB operations to Gatwick. Virgin also stopped all flights to Pakistan during the pandemic. Wonder why these airlines don't start services from Heathrow to Pak connecting travelers from the US and onwards on the way back. The leg times seem ideal as you mentioned and I transited via Heathrow last week from the US and it was actually a pleasant experience. Would be nice to be able to do so without hopping on another airline or stopping over in Doha, which has become pretty pricey.

Plus, no transit visa requirement.

BA and Virgin have very premium configured cabins, Pakistani folk do not want to pay excessive amounts for seats therefore these airlines will struggle to fill their cabins, hence BA’s move to Gatwick for ISB.

[ba260]

Here is my article that I wrote about PIA return to Europe: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/ur ... 275273729/
Pakistan International Airlines marked a key milestone with its return to the European Union, resuming operations on January 10, 2025, with twice-weekly flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle.
Here are my tips for PIA:
PIA has estimate of 304 employees per aircraft, representing a significantly higher employee-to-aircraft ratio than global industry standards. To achieve sustainable profitability, PIA must streamline operations. For its EU network, the airline should appoint a regional head and station managers while outsourcing ground handling and ancillary services to established providers like Swissport or Dnata. To remain competitive, PIA must prioritize modernization. Aircraft interiors require upgrades to meet global standards, addressing issues such as non-functional IFE systems. PIA should look into leasing or procuring newer aircrafts that are more fuel efficient. In digital transformation is critical in today’s aviation landscape. PIA should invest in user-friendly platforms for booking, real-time updates, and customer support, enhancing convenience and passenger autonomy. These improvements will not only elevate the passenger experience but also drive loyalty and operational efficiency.
PIA has a unique opportunity to leverage its geographic location to connect Europe with Asia. Optimizing flight schedules to align domestic and international connections—such as flights from Karachi to Islamabad, then onward to Paris, or from Paris via Islamabad to Kuala Lumpur—will provide seamless travel options for passengers. Utilizing Islamabad International Airport as a central hub for such operations is essential. As PIA’s most modern facility, Islamabad is well-positioned to support hub-and-spoke operations, providing a foundation for enhanced connectivity until infrastructure improvements at Lahore and Karachi are realized.
Collaboration with airport and security authorities is crucial to streamlining operations and enhancing passenger experience. Many Pakistani airports face inefficiencies due to outdated infrastructure and poor stakeholder coordination. By addressing these challenges, PIA can achieve smoother operations, improved turnaround times, and greater passenger satisfaction—key elements for competing effectively in a demanding aviation market.
To expand its EU footprint, PIA should focus on regions with significant Pakistani diaspora populations, such as Germany, Italy, Norway, and Spain. A hub-and-spoke strategy, utilizing a central European city like Frankfurt, could allow PIA to operate 5th freedom tag flights to destinations like Oslo, Barcelona, and Paris, generating additional revenue from intra-EU traffic. This phased expansion strategy will mature routes, improve frequency, and build demand. Cargo sales is also critical as the EU is one of Pakistan biggest trading partners. By leveraging its bilateral air service agreements, focusing on operational excellence, and prioritizing customer convenience, PIA can gain market share.