ISLAMABAD: Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif announced that the European Union (EU) has lifted its suspension on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Europe, as reported by ARY News.
According to Asif, the European Aviation Authority approved the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) request to revoke the ban on PIA flights during a review on Friday.
Highlighting the significance of this decision, Khawaja Asif noted that the lifting of the ban will accelerate the privatization of PIA, as the airline’s ratings have shown marked improvement.
In a statement shared on X, the minister wrote:
“It is a momentous day to announce that the European Commission and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have lifted the suspension on PIA flights to Europe.”
The aviation minister also confirmed that Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization had been granted to a private Pakistani airline, Airblue.
He attributed this success to the Aviation Ministry’s dedication to strengthening the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and aligning its safety oversight with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. Asif highlighted key reforms undertaken by the PML-N government, such as enacting the PCAA Act, separating regulatory functions from service provision, appointing professional leadership, and enhancing capacity through training programs.
Expressing gratitude to the European Commission and EASA for a transparent review process, Asif also voiced optimism that the UK and other countries would follow suit in lifting their bans on PIA operations.
The EU’s decision came after a comprehensive review by the EU Air Safety Committee, including an on-site evaluation of the PCAA and sample checks on Pakistani air carriers.
It is worth mentioning that the UK and several EU countries had suspended PIA operations in 2020 due to concerns over the authenticity of pilot licenses.
