PIA Set to Resume Europe Flights as EASA Lifts Restrictions

Islamabad: The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has lifted its prohibition on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to European destinations, a significant development that occurred after a nearly four-year hiatus. Khawaja Asif, the Defence Minister, announced the decision on Friday, which represents a significant milestone for the national carrier.

PIA’s suspension from operating on lucrative European routes had been in effect since June 2020, following a fatal plane accident in Karachi and a subsequent scandal over alleged phony pilot licenses. The airline suffered an annual loss of approximately Rs 40 billion as a consequence of the prohibition.

In May, Pakistan was removed from the European Commission’s air safety concerns list, and Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervaiz Malik announced that PIA would soon return to European skies. Asif expressed his enthusiasm for the ban’s elimination in a statement, describing it as a significant accomplishment for the aviation ministry and Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). Airblue had been granted Third Country Operator authorization, which he also confirmed.

Asif attributed the success of this development to the government’s emphasis on the enhancement of the PCAA and the adherence to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. The minister expressed confidence that this action would facilitate the resumption of PIA’s flights to the United Kingdom and other international destinations.

The EASA’s decision is the result of numerous audits and corrective actions taken by the PCAA to resolve safety concerns that were expressed during the suspension. The procedure necessitated substantial enhancements in personnel training and safety supervision to ensure compliance with international standards.

Despite the fact that PIA’s immediate return to Europe is contingent upon fleet enhancements, the ban’s eradication is regarded as a substantial boost for Pakistan’s aviation industry. The government is also confident that this development will entice potential purchasers for the airline, especially as privatiation efforts gain momentum.

EASA underscored in a statement that it had regained confidence in PCAA’s supervision capabilities, thereby enabling the resumption of PIA’s commercial operations within the European Union. However, the agency cautioned that it would be necessary to continue monitoring safety measures and conduct additional inspections to ensure that they are following international standards.

The prohibition was previously extended in 2021 following the suspension of pilots due to concerns regarding their licenses. The suspension has been lifted, and PIA is anticipated to resume operations on European routes. However, the precise timeline for the resumption of services is still under discussion.