EASA lifts ban on PIA flights to Europe
ISLAMABAD: After nearly four years, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has lifted the ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Europe, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Friday.
Asif, who is also the aviation minister, made the announcement on Friday through an X post, writing: “It is an important day to announce that the European Commission and EASA have banned PIA from flying to Europe. The ban has been lifted.”
“Not only this, TCO (Third Country Operators) permission has also been issued to another Pakistani airline – Air Blue Limited,” he said.
Appreciating Pakistan, Asif said, “Our government has taken important steps to strengthen Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) including implementation of PCAA Act, smooth separation of regulator and service providers, professional leadership. including appointment, and training.” The Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government.
He thanked EASA and the European Commission for their transparent procedures and dedication to ensure the safety of Pakistani aviation.
Earlier, the ban on Pakistani airlines was implemented in July 2020 after a PIA flight crashed killing more than 100 people, after the then aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar revealed. What happened was that the pilots had “fake” licenses.
European authorities had initially banned Pakistani airlines from operating for six months in July 2020 after then-Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar revealed that pilots were holding “fake” licences.
Citing concerns about “Pakistan’s ability to ensure compliance with international aviation standards at all times”, the safety body has since continued to extend the ban on PIA flights to the bloc.
The airline was already under international scrutiny for shortcomings in Pakistan’s aviation sector, so the ban was a major blow.