The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has lifted its ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), allowing the carrier to resume flights to Europe, announced Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday. Asif, who also serves as the aviation minister, called the development a “momentous day,” highlighting that it was the result of focused efforts to improve the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and align with international aviation safety standards.
Asif credited the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government for enacting significant reforms, including the PCAA Act, professional leadership appointments, and capacity-building training. He expressed gratitude to EASA and the European Commission for their transparent process and praised the efforts to ensure aviation safety in Pakistan.
The lifting of the ban is expected to assist in the privatization of PIA, which has been struggling financially. The national carrier will soon resume operations to the EU, with initial flights expected to start to Paris. The ban on PIA flights to the UK, however, remains in place, and officials hope it will also be lifted soon.
The ban was first imposed in 2020 following revelations about fake pilot licenses and concerns about Pakistan’s ability to meet international aviation safety standards. Since then, the PIA has worked to meet EASA’s strict safety requirements, and the ban’s removal is seen as a major achievement for the airline after years of efforts.
