Pakistan's national flag carrier connecting the world.
Founded
1955
Headquarters
Karachi, Pakistan
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is the national flag carrier of Pakistan, operating international and domestic routes across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Founded in 1955, it is one of the oldest airlines in Asia and has historically played a central role in connecting Pakistan to the global aviation network.
The airline is majority government-owned and is headquartered in Karachi. Over the decades, PIA has faced significant financial and operational challenges, including heavy debt burdens and safety concerns that led to bans from European Union airspace and the United Kingdom following revelations about pilot licensing irregularities in 2020.
PIA operates a mixed fleet of narrow-body and wide-body aircraft and serves dozens of international and domestic destinations. The Pakistani government has pursued privatization efforts in recent years as part of broader efforts to restructure the airline's finances and restore its international reputation.
Hubs & network
PIA's primary hub is Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, with secondary hubs at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore and Islamabad International Airport.
Fleet
PIA operates a fleet primarily consisting of Boeing 777s and ATR 42/72 turboprops, along with Airbus A320 family aircraft for short and medium-haul routes.
Notable facts
- ›PIA was founded in 1955 when Orient Airways merged with a new government-owned entity.
- ›In 2020, the EU and UK banned PIA from their airspace following a scandal over fraudulent pilot licenses.
- ›PIA was once regarded as one of Asia's leading airlines and helped train staff for Gulf carriers in the 1970s.
- ›The airline has accumulated billions of dollars in debt, prompting repeated government bailouts and privatization discussions.
- ›PIA Flight 8303 crashed near Karachi in May 2020, killing 97 of 99 people on board.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
