ISLAMABAD: After several days of deliberations, the sources have confirmed that the Pakistan-U.S. direct flight restoration is getting unblocked step by step. The next in-person visit of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to verify the progress after the audit of September 2025 is scheduled for January 2026 and will be the final point in the resumption of these direct flights.
In September 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration team visited Pakistan for an on-the-spot review of the Civil Aviation Authority and the local airlines. The investigation focused extensively on airline maintenance, safety, and operational standards of the airline industry and their aircraft in Pakistan.
The US FAA has acknowledged and praised the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority for its close cooperation and the high degree of preparedness in the face of the September 2025 audit. The PCAA has now undertaken very substantial efforts to meet the US safety standards.
Insiders say that the next visit from the FAA team will be in January, when they will conduct a more comprehensive audit. Not only will the audit examine the general safety and upkeep standards of Pakistan’s aviation infrastructure, but the audit will also take a look at the planes that will be employed in direct flights to the U.S.
The CAA has given the signal to the different sections and the departments indicated to them to have their preparations completed before the mid-January visit of the auditors. This involves making sure that the aircraft maintenance programme and flight safety measures are both up to the standards that the FAA has set.
Getting the chance to fly direct from Pakistan to the U.S. would mean a lot for the Pakistani airlines. They will be able to fly non-stop to the major cities of the U.S., which is the biggest advantage of the direct flights. The success of the January audit will lead to a final agreement that air services can be resumed.
The U.S. had placed certain restrictions on direct flights as a result of safety and operational standard concerns, which have now been largely resolved as per the latest developments.
The restoration of direct flights between Pakistan and the United States is crucial for both countries. Besides trade, the tourism industry of Pakistan will get a big boost through a more direct and easy connection for travelers. There are more good things for the U.S. as well would create better access to Pakistan and ease bilateral relations.
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After a successful audit, the direct flights of Pakistani airlines to the U.S. cities will be a great relief for passengers, as the duration of the trip will be reduced considerably. Besides, tours would become more frequent, thereby paving the way for long-term bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
