ISLAMABAD — Pakistan International Airlines has signed a strategic cargo partnership with Air France–KLM, a move aimed at expanding the national carrier’s access to international freight markets as it undergoes restructuring and a shift to private-sector management.

The agreement, which took effect on January 15, 2026, allows PIA Cargo to tap into the Air France–KLM global network, enabling exporters to ship goods across Europe and the United States using a single air waybill covering both airline systems. Officials say the arrangement is expected to improve efficiency and connectivity for Pakistan’s export sector.

Under the partnership, PIA Cargo will route shipments through regional hubs including Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam, providing onward access to major destinations such as Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

The cargo deal follows the resumption of direct Islamabad–Paris flights on January 10, which are operating twice weekly and have restored a key air link between Pakistan and Europe. Industry officials say the expanded cargo network is designed to complement these passenger services and strengthen trade and logistics flows.

The development coincides with the completion of PIA’s privatisation process, under which the Arif Habib Consortium acquired a 75 percent stake in the airline through a competitive bidding process. The government has said the transaction is intended to improve operational performance and financial sustainability.

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has described the transition as a milestone for the national carrier, saying the combination of private-sector management, renewed European routes and an expanded cargo footprint marks a new phase for PIA’s international operations.