PIA - Pakistan International Airlines (PK, Islamabad International) has tendered for a new operator for its flights to the European Union and the United Kingdom from December 2022 until May 2023. It currently charters an A330-200 from Jordan Aviation (R5, Amman Queen Alia).
The airline seeks an EASA-certified carrier authorised to serve both the EU and the UK with an aircraft seating at least 250 passengers. While PIA did not specify the aircraft type, the unit has to be of 2004 vintage or younger. It also must not be due for major maintenance checks during the expected duration of the charter contract, unless the operator can provide an equivalent backup aircraft.
The specifications clarify that the bidders must have operated at least five passenger charter flights in the last two years, must have IOSA certification, and must have a fleet of at least five passenger aircraft, including at least two 250 or more seat widebody jets. While the airline would consider single-class aircraft, units equipped with lie-flat or full-flat business-class seats will be assessed higher.
PIA plans to deploy the aircraft on services from Islamabad International to Manchester International, Paris CDG, and London Heathrow, and from Lahore International to Manchester.
The Pakistani carrier remains banned from operating to the EU and the UK due to a scandal over fake pilot licences dating back to 2020. As a result, it is unable to use its growing widebody fleet on the routes to Europe.
