Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will soon begin direct flights to Barcelona and Milan, marking another step in its expansion into Europe after the reopening of routes suspended for years. The decision follows Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s directive to prioritise destinations with large overseas Pakistani populations.
Milan is a particularly important route, with a large community from Sialkot — the minister’s hometown — living in the Italian city. Barcelona also hosts a substantial Pakistani diaspora, making both routes strategically valuable for the airline.
The push to reconnect with Europe comes after the UK removed Pakistan from its air safety list in July, ending a five-year ban. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott welcomed the move and praised the aviation sector’s progress.
PIA has already restarted flights to Manchester with three weekly Boeing 777 services. The next phase will see flights to London and Birmingham from Islamabad and Lahore, subject to regulatory approval.