European Commission Lifts Ban on PIA Flights to Europe

Translate In Arabic

Islamabad: The European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have officially lifted the suspension on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Europe, Pakistan’s Defense and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Friday.“This is a historic day,” said Asif, attributing the milestone to sustained efforts by the Ministry of Aviation and compliance with international civil aviation safety standards. He emphasized that the development ensures safety oversight in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) benchmarks.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) played a crucial role in addressing the issues that had led to the ban, the minister noted. Asif also pointed out that the improved safety ratings for PIA operations will have a positive impact on the airline’s ongoing privatization efforts. The minister expressed confidence that similar restrictions by the United Kingdom and other nations would soon be lifted, signaling a full recovery of PIA’s global operations. The ban, initially imposed by EASA on June 30, 2020, followed revelations of pilots holding fake licenses within the airline. While the suspension was enforced, PIA was briefly allowed to operate flights until July 3, 2020. The latest announcement marks a major step in restoring the national carrier’s international credibility and operational capacity.