EASA lifts ban on PIA flights to Europe

Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Friday that the European Commission and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have lifted the travel ban previously imposed on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for flights to Europe.

The ban was enacted in 2020 following a tragic plane crash in Karachi that resulted in the loss of approximately 100 lives, which subsequently led to a controversy regarding the issuance of fake pilot licenses to certain PIA pilots.

The ban had significant financial repercussions for the airline, costing it nearly Rs 40 billion in annual revenue. In June, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervaiz Malik informed the National Assembly about this development, indicating that PIA flights to Europe are expected to resume soon, as the European Commission Air Safety Commission removed Pakistan from its list of concerns on May 14, describing it as a “positive development.”

In March, he had mentioned that PIA flights to the UK would soon recommence following EASA's clearance in mid-May.

The announcement stemmed from his discussions with relevant authorities. On Wednesday, he shared on X, “It is a momentous day to declare that the European Commission and EASA have lifted the suspension on PIA flights to Europe.” He also noted that EASA has granted Third Country Operator authorization to Airblue.

Asif attributed this progress to the aviation ministry's unwavering commitment to enhancing the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and ensuring compliance with safety oversight standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).