In what could mark a turning point for Pakistan’s aviation industry and a new era of travel convenience for millions, Islamabad is preparing to launch non-stop flights to the United States for the first time in over a decade. US flights
The long-awaited move is expected to reshape connectivity, boost trade and tourism, and signal Islamabad’s renewed compliance with global aviation standards.
Defense and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan is preparing to resume direct flights to the United States amid indications of approval from America’s Federal Aviation Authority.
This revival of flights to the United States will mark the second financially lucrative route for Pakistan International Airlines, which this summer secured endorsement of such flights to the United Kingdom and Europe after a gap of six years.
According to Asif, government is working to meet international standards and enhance safety protocols, which could help further expand global routes for the country’s airlines.
US audits Pakistani aviation systems as Islamabad hopes to revive direct flights
A team from the US FAA recently visited Pakistan to conduct a safety audit, and the expected nod would means PIA, the national flag carrier, would achieve Category 1 status, necessary to the resumption of direct flights to the United States.
For years, travelers between Pakistan and the U.S. have endured grueling journeys involving one or more stopovers — typically in the Middle East or Europe — stretching travel times to nearly 20 hours.
Now, as U.S. aviation regulators review Pakistan’s safety protocols, the possibility of a direct route is closer than ever.
Sources within Pakistan’s aviation ministry confirm that the audit reflects months of reforms aimed at meeting international safety benchmarks.
“This inspection is a make-or-break moment,” said a senior PCAA official. “Once cleared, Pakistan will finally reconnect with the U.S. skies on equal footing.”
Pakistan last operated direct U.S. flights in 2017, before safety and regulatory concerns grounded PIA from operating long-haul American routes.
The halt followed the 2020 pilot licensing scandal — in which fake credentials were discovered among several pilots after which both European and American aviation authorities suspended permissions for direct travel.
امریکی فیڈرل ایوی ایشن اتھارٹی کے آڈٹ اور بہتر حفاظتی اقدامت کے بعد پی آئی اے کی امریکہ کے لئے پروازیں، جو کئی سال سے معطل تھیں، دوبارہ شروع ہونے کا امکان۔https://t.co/ENmMXAiktx
— Husain Haqqani (@husainhaqqani) October 22, 2025
But Islamabad has since worked to overhaul its aviation oversight system. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted its ban on PIA in late 2024 after four years, citing “significant progress” in regulatory compliance. The FAA’s audit now represents the final step toward re-entry into the U.S. market.
Aviation insiders suggest that Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore are top contenders for launch cities, while New York, Chicago, and Houston are being evaluated as the first U.S. destinations.
The routes are expected to be operated by wide-body Boeing 777 or Airbus A350 aircraft capable of long-haul nonstop service.
Once approved, these flights will slash travel times by nearly six hours and provide direct access for Pakistan’s large diaspora — estimated at over one million across the United States. For thousands of students, business travelers, and families, it could mean unprecedented convenience and reduced costs.
The introduction of nonstop Pakistan-U.S. flights would carry implications far beyond aviation. Economists say the move could energize bilateral trade, streamline cargo and investment flows, and support tourism and cultural exchange.
U.K. lifts ban on Pakistani airlines, opening the way for resumption of direct flights
“Direct connectivity between Islamabad and major U.S. cities is not merely symbolic,” said aviation analyst Syed Hamid Zafar. “It’s a statement that Pakistan is rebuilding global confidence in its institutions and infrastructure.”
Analysts also note that the development comes amid Pakistan’s broader diplomatic engagement with Washington, expansion in trade relations, counterterrorism cooperation, and education partnerships.
A direct flight link, they argue, could serve as a tangible gesture of restored trust.
Despite the optimism, challenges remain. The FAA’s final decision will hinge on strict adherence to global aviation safety protocols — including aircraft maintenance standards, pilot certification, and airport readiness.
Industry experts also warn that direct flights, while prestigious, are initially expensive to operate. With jet fuel prices and insurance costs fluctuating, national carriers must ensure commercial viability through high load factors and efficient operations.
If approved, Pakistan’s direct U.S. flights will mark more than just a convenience for travelers — they will symbolize the country’s slow but steady return to global aviation credibility.
As one aviation official aptly put it, “This is not just about planes. It’s about Pakistan proving it can soar again — safely, proudly, and directly to the world’s largest economy.”
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Kiran Asim is a writer who covers the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her reports and analyses look at the geostrategic issues and contemporary developments and their economic and political implications. She also writes about society and education.
