The suspension, which originated in June 2020, followed a devastating plane crash in Karachi that claimed nearly 100 lives and was compounded by controversial allegations regarding pilot licensing during the PTI government’s tenure.
Pakistan Airlines Unbanned for Europe Flights
The restoration of European routes marks a critical turning point for the national carrier, which suffered substantial financial losses estimated at approximately Rs40 billion during the international prohibition. The ban’s reversal comes after extensive regulatory scrutiny and systematic improvements in aviation safety standards.
Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervaiz Malik previously signaled optimism, informing the National Assembly in June about the potential flight restoration after Pakistan’s delisting from the European Commission’s air safety concern list on May 14.
Asif had earlier projected the resumption of UK flights by mid-May, basing his projections on consultations with relevant aviation authorities.
Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – Pakistan International Airlines, AP-BGJ, Boeing 777-240 ER, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72241859
Minister Remarks
Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif announced a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s aviation sector, revealing the European Commission and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have lifted the suspension on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Europe.
The minister made this declaration through a post on X, highlighting a significant breakthrough in international air travel regulations.
