Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plans to start flying directly to the Maldives, but only after it receives additional aircraft. Its chief executive, Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, said direct flights between Pakistan and the island country would begin once the new planes enter service.

He announced the plan during a meeting at PIA's head office with a senior Maldivian delegation led by Abdul Raheem Abdullah, speaker of the Maldives National Assembly.

Mr Hayat told the delegation that PIA was working to expand its fleet. He described the Maldives route as part of a wider plan to extend the airline's international network and improve connections with important regional destinations.

He said direct flights would serve tourists and business travellers, as well as Pakistanis living abroad. He added that PIA remains committed to connecting overseas Pakistanis through a larger flight network.

However, the airline did not say when the new aircraft would arrive or when the route would begin. The launch therefore depends on the timing of PIA's fleet expansion.