According to a media report, a five -member delegation of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is ready to meet Pakistan in mid -April to estimate whether Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is ready to resume direct flights to the United States. This diagnosis will determine whether the PIA can be upgraded from category II to category I, which needs to be restored in US airspace.
The diagnosis came when the PIA pushes the European Union in January to resume flights and rehabilitation of international contacts after an ongoing conversation with the UK. To support the upgrade process, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed, and for consulting services, 000 75,000 have been allocated.
PIA’s access to US, UK and European Union locations was suspended in July 2020 when former Prime Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan alleged that many pilot licenses were issued wrongly. These claims gave rise to a global reaction and banned the airline’s international routes.
Prior to the suspension, the PIA operated six weekly flights to US cities, including New York and Chicago. During the Kovide 19 pandemic diseases, the airline was allowed to operate limited chartered flights to the United States under special arrangements.
In a separate move to tighten the internal protocol, the PIA has issued a new directive banning photography and videoography during the rehabilitation of the aircraft. The airline has warned of security risks and confidentiality concerns that unauthorized visual documents could lead to strict discipline.
Under the guidance, only authorized personnel – such as engineers or approved security staff are allowed to capture images during maintenance activities. The airline said the purpose of this policy is to protect sensitive information and ensure safe operational ways.
