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
Zawya
42 minutes ago
- Zawya
Pharma drags London stocks lower after Trump's tariff blitz
British equities slipped on Friday, pressured by healthcare shares, as investors woke up to U.S. President Donald Trump's fresh levies on dozens of countries and demands to lower prescription drug prices. The blue-chip FTSE 100 was down 0.7% as of 0915 GMT, on track to snap a six-week winning streak. The domestically focused midcap FTSE 250 fell nearly 1% and headed for its second straight weekly decline. Late on Thursday, Trump slapped steep tariffs on exports from dozens of trading partners including Canada, Brazil, India, Taiwan and Switzerland, pressing ahead with his plans to reorder the global economy. British healthcare stocks dropped the most, down 2.3%, after Trump sent letters to the leaders of 17 major pharmaceutical companies on Thursday, including AstraZeneca and GSK, outlining how they should slash U.S. prescription drug prices. AstraZeneca shed 3.4%, while GSK slipped 1.3%. Industrial Support Services sector fell 2.1% after Intertek Group missed its half-year organic revenue growth. The British product testing firm fell the most in the FTSE 100, down 7.7%. British Airways owner IAG dropped 2.1% after the airline group said it expected a slight rise in costs linked to air traffic control issues. Watches of Switzerland was the biggest drag on the FTSE 250, down 8%, after the U.S. imposed a 39% tariff on Swiss imports. Conversely, Melrose Industries rose 6.5% to the top of the benchmark index, after the defence company beat operating profit expectations on strong demand. Pearson rose 4.5% after the British education company forecast stronger growth in the second half. Meanwhile, Britain said the European Union will remove tariffs on key steel products under a quota system from Friday as part of a reset of ties and a recent deal to ease trade barriers. However, London is yet to conclude negotiations with the U.S. after both sides agreed in May to work toward removing tariffs on British steel exports. Also, data showed on Friday that British house prices rose slightly faster than expected in July. (Reporting by Sanchayaita Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed)
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
South Africa: Durban to host global aviation workforce summit in August
Aviation leaders from around the world will gather in Durban from 12–14 August 2025 for the 3rd Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Global Summit, jointly hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). The summit comes in response to aviation's growing need for a qualified, inclusive and future-ready workforce to support long-term growth and resilience across the sector. Millions needed to fill global aviation roles According to ICAO forecasts, by 2037 the sector will require more than 665,000 aircraft maintenance technicians, 554,000 pilots, 922,000 cabin crew members and 106,000 air traffic controllers. These figures represent only part of the broader workforce demands in the global aviation ecosystem. South Africa, through its role in the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) initiative, is expected to contribute to job creation across the continent, with nearly 600,000 jobs forecast to be generated in Africa alone. "South Africa, alongside its African partners, is dedicated to ensuring that Africa's unique concerns ranging from safety, security, infrastructure to environmental sustainability are addressed," says Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy. Coordinating global action The NGAP Summit will provide a platform for governments, industry players, training institutions and youth representatives to align on strategies to develop aviation talent pipelines. "I am certain that there will be a lot of insights and recommendations that the sector will take forward from the various 2025 NGAP Summit deliberations," says Poppy Khoza, director of civil aviation at SACAA. "With South Africa a leading voice in many ICAO platforms on global aviation matters, we also look forward to hosting a number of our fellow Member States in our country, and to see them collaborate on some ideas with their South African counterparts." Focus on innovation and inclusion Held under the theme , the summit will spotlight innovative training methods, technology-enabled learning, and sustainable career development, with a strong focus on youth and emerging markets. "Every State has an interest in securing the talent required for a safe and resilient future for international civil aviation. This is particularly vital for youth and communities in parts of the world where aviation can be a powerful catalyst for sustainable development," says Salvatore Sciacchitano, president of the ICAO Council. Building partnerships and policy frameworks The summit supports the implementation of ICAO's NGAP Strategy, which promotes advocacy, workforce forecasting, training, and outreach. It is also aligned with ICAO's Strategic Plan 2026–2050, which places human development at the centre of global aviation objectives. "The ICAO 2025 NGAP Summit will help ensure that no State is left behind in benefiting from the opportunities that aviation can offer," says Juan Carlos Salazar, ICAO secretary general. "ICAO is working with partners around the world to build the infrastructure, training capacity, and education partnerships needed to develop tomorrow's aviation professionals, especially in countries where investment in people can drive broader transformation." All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arabian Business
3 hours ago
- Arabian Business
First Abu Dhabi Bank opens new London branch, marking 48 years in the UK
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE's largest lender, opened its new London branch at 20 Berkeley Square in Mayfair, cementing nearly five decades of presence in the UK and underlining its commitment to the city as a global financial hub. The new branch was inaugurated by Hana Al Rostamani, FAB Group CEO, alongside Sheikh Mohamed bin Saif Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of FAB; board members; UK and UAE dignitaries including Dr. Sultan Al Jaber and Mansoor Abulhoul, and UK Trade Minister Douglas Alexander. 'In 1977, we became the first Gulf bank to open in the UK. Over the past 48 years, the ties between the UK and UAE have deepened, with bilateral trade growing significantly to £24.3 billion today,' Al Rostamani said. 'The opening of our new London office is more than a relocation; it marks a strategic hub for the future of finance, a place where global insight meets regional expertise, and where innovation fosters lasting relationships. The UK will remain a key market for FAB as we strengthen our international presence and deepen client engagement.' FAB first entered London through its predecessor National Bank of Abu Dhabi, and the city now serves as a hub for private banking, corporate advisory, and cross-border capital flows. The new branch includes bespoke spaces for high-net-worth clients and institutions, providing wealth planning, portfolio management, and family office services. The opening coincides with a cultural activation showcasing UK-UAE creative collaborations, part of FAB's broader strategy to link innovation, finance, and heritage. FAB's international operations now contribute 17 per cent of its group income.
