ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday announced that the European Commission and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have lifted a ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for flights to Europe.
In a post on X today, the Defence Minister said: “It is a momentous day to announce that the European Commission and EASA have lifted the suspension on PIA flights to Europe.”
The EASA imposed a ban on Pakistan’s national flag career in 2020, after a PIA plane crash in Karachi killed nearly 100, followed by a fake pilot licence scandal.
The ban caused huge economic loss to the airline as it had to stop flight operations on its most lucrative routes in Europe and Britain. According to reports the ban cost the airline annual revenue of nearly Rs40 billion.
Khawaja Asif in his post on X further said the development was made possible due to the aviation ministry’s “complete focus” on strengthening the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and ensuring safety oversight in line with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
He added that Third Country Operator authorisation was also issued to Pakistani private airline, Airblue.
“Our government has taken significant measures to strengthen PCAA, including enactment of PCAA Act, smooth segregation of regulator and service providers, appointment of professional leadership and training to build the capacity,” he said.
“I am grateful to the European Commission and EASA for conducting a transparent process and our commitment to ensure aviation safety in Pakistan,” he added.
PM Welcomes Decision of EC, EASA
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed the decision of the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency to lift the ban on PIA flights.
In a statement on Friday, he congratulated Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority officials, and the management of PIA on this development.
Shehbaz Sharif said lifting the ban will strengthen PIA’s reputation and bring financial benefits to the national flag carrier.
He said the lifting of the ban reflects the successful policies of Pakistan and air travel will become easier for Pakistanis living in Europe.
In March this year, Asif Khawaja Asif claimed that PIA flights to the UK would resume soon after clearance from EASA by mid-May.
Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervaiz Malik informed the National Assembly in June that PIA flights to Europe were expected to be restored soon as the European Commission Air Safety Commission had delisted Pakistan from its concern list on May 14, describing it as a “positive development”.
PIA Chief Commercial Officer, Nosherwan Adil in August this year said the airline was very hopeful that the ban would be lifted during the meeting of EU’s Air Safety Committee.
