PIA cleared to resume flights to Europe after four years

The European Union (EU) has lifted the ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other operators, allowing them to fly to European destinations after a four-year suspension.

The ban was initially imposed due to concerns about the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority's (PCAA) ability to meet international safety standards, particularly regarding its certification process and oversight of air operators.

The PCAA has worked diligently between 2020 and 2024 to address these concerns. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) acknowledged these efforts and, after observing significant improvements, has restored confidence in Pakistan’s aviation sector by lifting the ban.

While the EASA has granted PIA and Airblue limited commercial air transport operations to and from the EU, this development is expected to improve PIA’s financial stability and make its privatisation more feasible.

Other organisations, such as the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are also expected to lift their respective bans soon. The collaborative efforts of the government and PIA have received special recognition, with the PIA administration, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and Ministry of Aviation being applauded for their role in meeting international safety standards.

The lifting of the EU ban is considered a significant achievement for Pakistan’s aviation sector and has positively impacted its global reputation. Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Aviation Minister, and other officials have welcomed the EU’s decision. The Minister for Aviation, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, credited the government’s focus on strengthening the PCAA and refining safety oversight in alignment with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.