ISLAMABAD: After years of suspension, direct flights between Pakistan and the United States may soon take off again, as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prepares for a pivotal visit to Pakistan.
Sources within the aviation sector revealed Wednesday that the FAA has finalized plans for an official trip to Pakistan, signaling renewed momentum in efforts to restore non-stop commercial air links between the two countries.
During the visit, the FAA delegation will meet with officials from Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at the CAA headquarters. The discussions are expected to focus on safety standards, regulatory compliance, and procedures necessary to lift the current restrictions on direct air travel.
“The upcoming visit is a major step toward restoring Pakistan’s aviation status with U.S. authorities,” said a senior CAA official. “It could open the runway to direct flights resuming after years of grounding.”
Direct flights between Pakistan and the United States were suspended several years ago due to security and safety concerns raised by international aviation bodies. Since then, passengers have relied on layovers and connecting flights through third countries.
The FAA’s renewed engagement, experts say, suggests positive developments in Pakistan’s aviation oversight and safety protocols—critical factors in regaining Category 1 status, which allows for direct operations to U.S. airports.
While no firm date has been set for flights to resume, industry insiders are optimistic that this visit could be the turning point in reconnecting the two nations via non-stop air travel.
