PIA’s proud past: Speed records, long-haul firsts, 10 top records you must know

Dubai: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national flag carrier of Pakistan, holds a distinguished place in aviation history.

Established in 1954 after the nationalisation of Orient Airways (founded in 1946), PIA quickly rose as a trailblazer in South Asian and global aviation.

In its early years, PIA set several milestones that defined the aviation industry in Asia. It became the first Asian airline to operate jet aircraft by introducing the Boeing 707 in 1960, marking the beginning of the jet age in the region.

Fastest flight

Two years later, in 1962, a PIA Boeing 720 set a world speed record for commercial airliners by flying non-stop from London to Karachi at an average speed of 582.98mph (938.21 km/h). The flight, piloted by Captain Abdullah Baig, completed the route in 6 hours, 43 minutes, and 51 seconds, a record for the fastest commercial flight between the two cities that remains unbroken to this day.

First international route

PIA was also a pioneer in international connectivity, launching its first overseas route to London in 1955 and becoming the first non-Communist airline to fly to China in 1964. Over time, it expanded its global footprint to over 100 destinations, including Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia. The airline even played a crucial role in helping establish Emirates Airlines in 1985.

Long haul flights

In 2004, PIA made aviation history again as the launch customer of the Boeing 777-200LR, a long-range wide-body aircraft designed for ultra-long-haul flights. The following year, in 2005, PIA operated the world’s first longest non-stop commercial flight at that time, flying from Hong Kong to London Heathrow, covering approximately 8,500 miles (13,700 kilometres) non-stop.

In-flight entertainment

In addition to these achievements, PIA was among the first airlines in the region to introduce in-flight entertainment systems, offering passengers a more comfortable and enjoyable travel experience long before such amenities became standard in South Asia.

Challenges

However, the airline’s journey has not been without challenges. Financial mismanagement, operational inefficiencies, and safety concerns have plagued PIA in recent decades.

The most significant setbacks came in 2020 when PIA faced bans from the European Union, the UK, and the US due to safety concerns and a pilot licensing scandal. These bans severely restricted its international operations.

Currently, PIA operates a diverse fleet of 32 aircraft, including Airbus A320s and Boeing 777 variants, serving hubs in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore. Its routes include major regional cities such as Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, and Istanbul, with a long-haul flight to Toronto.

Up for sale

The Pakistani government has renewed efforts to privatise PIA as part of broader reforms aimed at improving efficiency and reducing the airline’s financial burden. Recently, the privatisation process cleared four qualified bidders who passed the initial vetting phase, signalling potential progress toward the airline’s long-awaited restructuring and modernisation.

Despite uncertainty, PIA’s historical achievements continue to inspire hope for its future revival.