PIA Signs Cargo Partnership With Air France-KLM

PIA partners with Air France-KLM to expand cargo access across Europe and the US, as privatisation and new international routes signal a renewed global push.

Read more: PIA, Garuda Indonesia Sign Cargo Export Deal

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has signed a strategic cargo partnership with Air France-KLM, expanding its global freight connectivity at a time of major institutional transition for the national carrier. The agreement, effective from January 15, grants PIA Cargo access to Air France-KLM’s international network, allowing exporters to ship consignments across Europe and the United States under a single air waybill.

Under the agreement, PIA Cargo will connect to the wider network through regional hubs in Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam. Key destinations now accessible include Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Düsseldorf, alongside major US cities such as New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. The partnership is expected to improve logistics efficiency and strengthen market access for Pakistani exporters.

The cargo deal builds on broader efforts to restore PIA’s international operations. French Ambassador Nicolas Galey recently noted that the resumption of direct Islamabad–Paris flights, operating twice weekly from January 10, reflects improved bilateral ties and enhanced connectivity between Pakistan and Europe. He added that the route, combined with the Air France–KLM network, provides streamlined access to around 21 European destinations.

These developments coincide with the conclusion of PIA’s privatisation process, under which the Arif Habib Consortium acquired a 75 per cent stake. Together, expanded cargo links, renewed European connectivity and private-sector ownership point to a renewed focus on strengthening PIA’s role in global trade and travel.