UK authorities have removed Pakistan from their Air Safety List, clearing the way for Pakistani airlines to apply for permission to fly direct to the UK again.
This important decision was made by the UK’s Air Safety Committee after a full review and close technical cooperation with Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority to improve flight safety standards.
The ban was first put in place in July 2020 after the fake pilot licence scandal shocked the aviation industry.
At that time, Pakistan’s aviation minister admitted that many pilots were holding suspicious licences, raising big safety concerns. Because of this, PIA and other carriers were banned from flying to Europe and the UK.
Now that Pakistan is off the Air Safety List, its airlines can work towards getting the special permits they need from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Although flights won’t start immediately, this is a big step toward restoring direct air connections.
This move will benefit over 1.6 million British Pakistanis who rely on direct flights to visit family and do business. It’s also expected to help boost trade between the two countries, which is already worth £4.7 billion every year.
Officials and airlines hope this progress will strengthen ties and make travel and trade easier for everyone once permissions are in place.
