Pakistani airline resumes flights to UK after 5-year-ban ends
Flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines was barred from flying to Britain in June 2020, a month after one of its aircrafts plunged into a Karachi street, killing nearly 100 people.
The disaster was attributed to human error by the pilots and air traffic control, and was followed by allegations that nearly a third of the licences for its pilots were fake or dubious.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
The UK Air Safety Committee had decided to lift the ban following aviation safety improvements in Pakistan, the British High Commission in Islamabad said, adding that decisions on de-listing states and air carriers were made "through an independent aviation safety process".
"Based on this independent and technically-driven process, it has decided to remove Pakistan and its air carriers from the (UK Air Safety) List," it said in a statement.
The move comes after European regulators lifted a four-year ban on PIA, with the Pakistani state-owned carrier resuming flights to Europe in January.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the lifting of the ban as "an important milestone for the country".
"The lifting of the ban on Pakistani flights by the UK is a source of relief for Pakistanis residing in Britain," he added in a statement.
PIA said it would resume services to Britain in "the shortest possible time" with the first flights operating from Islamabad to Manchester.
Aviation minister Khawaja Asif acknowledged the ban had caused losses. "Confidence is being restored in Pakistani airlines once again," he said at a news conference in Islamabad.
PIA, which employs 7,000 people, has long been accused of being bloated and poorly run — hobbled by unpaid bills, a poor safety record and regulatory issues.
Pakistan's government has said it is committed to privatising the debt-ridden airline and has been scrambling to find a buyer.
In 2024, a deal fell through after a potential buyer reportedly offered a fraction of the asking price.
PIA came into being in 1955 when the government nationalised a loss-making commercial airline, and enjoyed rapid growth until the 1990s.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Emirates 24/7
25 minutes ago
- Emirates 24/7
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi expands operations in Multan, Faisalabad
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi announced the expansion of its operations in Pakistan with increased flight frequencies to two key cities in Pakistan; Faisalabad and Multan. The increase in capacity further strengthens air connectivity between the UAE and Pakistan, reinforcing the airline's commitment to offering affordable, reliable, and convenient travel options to its growing customer base. Flights to Multan have increased from two to five flights per week and will operate daily starting September. Meanwhile, services to Faisalabad have doubled from two to four weekly flights, offering passengers greater convenience and more flexible travel options. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said, 'Pakistan remains a key growth market for Air Araia Abu Dhabi. The increased frequencies to Multan and Faisalabad reflect our commitment to meeting the growing demand for affordable and reliable air travel between the UAE and Pakistan, while providing our customers with greater convenience and enhanced connectivity'. In addition to the frequency increases, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi recently launched a new direct route to Sialkot, further expanding its footprint across Pakistan and catering to the growing demand for affordable air travel between the two countries. As part of its broader growth strategy, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi plans to add two more aircraft to its fleet before the end of the year, enhancing its operational capacity and supporting the launch of new routes as it continues to grow its network across key markets. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Innovo partners with Quantavist to redefine construction safety standards
Dubai, UAE – Innovo, an industry leader in construction and innovation, has entered a strategic partnership with Quantavist, a pioneer in safety intelligence for complex environments. The collaboration is set to transform how risk is detected and mitigated across high-density construction sites, setting a new benchmark for workplace safety. This partnership reinforces Innovo's commitment to embedding real-time and adaptive intelligence across its operations to create safer, smarter environments. As the lead innovation partner in the construction sector, Innovo will play a key role in shaping the development and refinement of Quantavist's safety intelligence platform, starting with a live pilot on one of Innovo's flagship projects. Through computer vision and advanced real-time analytics, Quantavist synthesises billions of data points on worker behaviour and environmental conditions each month, enabling adaptive AI to deliver targeted safety interventions before incidents occur. Roger Wahl, CTO, Innovo commented on what this partnership means for the industry: 'This partnership reflects our belief that safety should never be left to chance. By working closely with Quantavist, we are digitising and applying practical innovation to one of the most critical challenges in our industry. We are using technology to protect our teams and raise the standards for how the entire sector approaches safety.' Jordan Kettle, Co-Founder, Quantavist added: "With over 8 million man-hours managed per month, Innovo's scale and operational expertise in high-stakes construction environments will be invaluable as we refine our solution to meet the precise needs of the industry and accelerate the shift towards intelligent prevention." As Innovo continues to operate at the intersection of innovation and impact, this partnership reflects its ongoing mission to shape the next era of construction through intelligent, human-centric solutions. About Innovo: Innovo is an industry leader in construction and development across the built environment, specialising in the design, engineering, construction, development and infrastructure financing of major real estate projects across four continents. A front-runner and innovator in the built environment, Innovo's vast and varied portfolio includes more than 130 ongoing projects, encompassing luxury residential developments, villa communities, educational facilities, hospitality, commercial and transport hubs, and critical urban infrastructure. Innovo is headquartered in London, UK with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Toronto, Cairo, Dakar and Luanda. About Quantavist Technologies: Quantavist delivers safety intelligence solutions engineered for large, complex environments. Leveraging advanced AI technology, Quantavist analyses behaviours and environmental conditions in real-time, empowering organisations to act on risk with precision and prevent disruption before it materialises.
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
World Energy Council welcomes new Chair-designate - H.E. Adnan Amin
London: The World Energy Council is pleased to announce that H.E. Mr. Adnan Amin has been elected as Chair-designate of the World Energy Council. Mr. Amin will immediately assume the role alongside current Chair, Mike Howard, for the remainder of his term. Mr. Amin will transition to the Chair position at the Council's Executive Assembly taking place during World Energy Week in October 2025. A renowned international leader and sustainable development economist, Mr. Amin was unanimously elected by the Council's worldwide member committees. Mr. Amin is a well-respected and globally recognised leader, having founded and led the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) between 2011 and 2019. Under his leadership, IRENA became the authoritative voice for renewable energy and a key player in driving the transformation of global energy systems. He most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of COP28, where he successfully led international negotiations that culminated in the landmark 'UAE Consensus.' This included a historic commitment by countries to triple global renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030, marking a pivotal step forward in accelerating clean energy deployment. Prior to these roles, Mr. Amin served in senior leadership across the United Nations System and International Organisations for over 20 years. He was also a Senior Research Fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, focusing on the geopolitics of the energy transition. Mike Howard, current Chair, World Energy Council said: 'I am truly delighted that Adnan is joining the World Energy Council community in this top leadership role. His international experience across a range of global organisations, including those with energy responsibilities, is outstanding. In these turbulent times, geopolitically and across energy systems, the need for strong and transparent leadership is paramount. I greatly look forward to working with Adnan as he takes on his new roles.' H.E. Adnan Amin, incoming Chair-designate, World Energy Council, said: 'The World Energy Council has long been a cornerstone of impactful global energy leadership. I am honoured to take on this important role at a time when the need for an independent and impartial voice in the energy space has never been more urgent. I look forward to working with the Council's worldwide community to drive meaningful progress, exchange insights, and inspire transformative change.' Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO, World Energy Council, said: 'I am thrilled to welcome HE Adnan Amin as Chair-designate of the World Energy Council. Adnan is more than a trustworthy and admired leader in the energy space - he is a bridge-builder between worlds. Adnan joins the Council at a pivotal moment: energy leadership must rise to new levels of challenge, creativity, and compassion. His appointment signals our intent to shape a fresh energy agenda fit for billions of people and a healthy planet. We're not here to study the present - we're here to redesign the future, and Adnan is the right leader to help drive that transformation.' Born in Kenya and a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Amin will become the first person from a non-OECD country to take up position of Chair of the World Energy Council. He is well-placed to lead the diverse World Energy Council community, which includes over 3,000 member organisations spanning more than 100 counties, and its flagship World Energy Congress which convenes global energy leaders to advance clean and inclusive energy transitions. Co-hosted by the World Energy Council and the Ministry of Energy of Saudi Arabia, the 27th edition of World Energy Congress will take place 26-29 October 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. -Ends- About the World Energy Council The World Energy Council is the world's oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners. Through our Humanising Energy vision, we involve more people and communities in accelerating clean and just energy transitions in all world regions. Formed in 1923, the Council has convened diverse interests from across the full energy ecosystem for a century, and today has over 3,000 member organisations and a presence in nearly 100 countries. Our global network draws from governments, private and state corporations, academia and civil society, as well as current and future energy leaders. We effectively collaborate on impact programmes and inform local, regional and global energy agendas in support of our enduring mission: to promote the sustainable use and supply of energy for the benefit of all people. Further details at and on LinkedIn and Twitter.
