Latest news with #AbdullahHafeezKhan
Gulf Today
13-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
UAE airlines resume flights as Pakistan fully reopens its airspace
Air travel between Pakistan and the UAE has resumed, with flights now operating from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah airports to multiple destinations in Pakistan, following the ceasefire agreement reached between the two countries after four days of hiatus. According to the UAE aviation authorities, major airports in the Emirates have restarted operations for Pakistan-bound flights. The first flight to Islamabad is set to depart on Monday (May 12), while services to Peshawar's Bacha Khan Airport will begin on Tuesday (May 13). Earlier, Pakistan has fully reopened its airspace for all types of flights as tensions eased with India following a ceasefire agreement. The two neighbouring nations had closed their airspaces multiple times since Wednesday, when India launched missiles into Pakistan, triggering a series of hostilities. The Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) has announced that the airspace has been fully restored for all types of flights and issued a fresh notice to airmen (NOTAM). "All airports in the country are available for normal flight operations," a spokesman for PAA said. He requested passengers to contact the airline for the latest flight schedule. However, the normalisation of flight operations is expected to take time as passenger aircraft and other equipment were shifted to safe locations as a precaution during escalating tensions between Pakistan and India. Officials said the aircraft are being brought back to the operational area for routine operations. The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has also resumed flight operations following the reopening of the airspace. The national carrier's flight PK750, coming from Paris to Islamabad, which was diverted and landed in Quetta early on Saturday, later returned to its original destination, said PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan. Other operations of PIA would also resume from 10pm and all grounded or delayed flights would become operational, he said. Passengers who had returned to their homes or hotels are being contacted to return to the airport. "We apologise for the inconvenience caused to passengers due to the air closures and affected flight operations, but caution was necessary given the circumstances," the statement added. The disruption of flight operations for days stranded hundreds of travellers in Pakistan and abroad. Meanwhile, efforts to sustain the ongoing Hajj operations are being made by various airlines, which are working to ensure continuity despite operational challenges at major airports.
Express Tribune
26-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PIA's UK flight ban remains in place
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will remain banned from operating flights to and from the United Kingdom, the UK Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed, dashing hopes of an imminent resumption after a four-year suspension. A spokesperson for the department said, "Airlines must go through a rigorous procedure to have restrictions lifted," adding that the UK Civil Aviation Authority was in contact with Pakistani authorities regarding the issue. The UK Air Safety List includes countries and airlines that are not permitted to operate commercial flights within the UK due to safety concerns. As per the official UK government website, "All air carriers certified by the authorities with responsibility for regulatory oversight of Pakistan are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the United Kingdom." This update comes just days after reports suggested that the British Air Safety Committee had discussed lifting the ban, which had raised hopes among Pakistani authorities. The ban was initially enforced in July 2020 by both UK and European aviation authorities after a major scandal revealed that dozens of Pakistani pilots were operating with fake licences. The then-aviation minister, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, admitted to the issue following the tragic crash of a PIA Airbus A-320 in Karachi, which claimed nearly 100 lives. The fallout from the scandal resulted in bans across the UK, European Union, and United States, costing the loss-making airline approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue. Despite the ongoing ban in the UK, PIA marked a small milestone in January 2025 by resuming direct flights to Europe with a flight from Islamabad to Paris. PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan shared the airline's aspirations, saying that once cleared by the DfT, "London, Manchester, and Birmingham would be the most sought-after destinations."
Express Tribune
25-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PIA still grounded in UK as air safety ban remains in place
Listen to article Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will remain banned from flying to and from the United Kingdom, the UK Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed on Tuesday, dashing hopes of an imminent return after a four-year hiatus. A spokesperson for the department said, 'Airlines must go through a rigorous procedure to have restrictions lifted,' adding that the UK Civil Aviation Authority was in contact with Pakistani authorities regarding the issue. The UK Air Safety List includes countries and airlines that are not permitted to operate commercial flights within the UK due to safety concerns. As per the official UK government website, 'All air carriers certified by the authorities with responsibility for regulatory oversight of Pakistan are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the United Kingdom.' This update comes just days after reports suggested that the British Air Safety Committee had discussed lifting the ban, which had raised hopes among Pakistani authorities. The ban was initially enforced in July 2020 by both UK and European aviation authorities after a major scandal revealed that dozens of Pakistani pilots were operating with fake licences. The then-aviation minister, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, admitted to the issue following the tragic crash of a PIA Airbus A-320 in Karachi, which claimed nearly 100 lives. The fallout from the scandal resulted in bans across the UK, European Union, and United States, costing the loss-making airline approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue. Despite the ongoing ban in the UK, PIA marked a small milestone in January 2025 by resuming direct flights to Europe with a flight from Islamabad to Paris. PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan shared the airline's aspirations, saying that once cleared by the DfT, 'London, Manchester, and Birmingham would be the most sought-after destinations.'
Express Tribune
16-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PIA seeks approval to lease Heathrow slots to Saudi Airlines for 2025
Listen to article LONDON: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has formally requested Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), the global airport slot coordinator, to lease two of its London Heathrow slots to Saudi Airlines for the 2025 summer season, a spokesperson confirmed on Sunday. The lease request follows PIA's ongoing restrictions in the UK and US, despite the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifting a four-year ban on the airline in November 2024. The ban was originally imposed in June 2020 over concerns about Pakistan's aviation safety standards, following a Karachi plane crash that killed 97 people and an investigation into pilot license irregularities. PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan told Arab News that the airline has sought a "slot swap" from ACL, allowing Saudi Airlines to use the Heathrow slots from April 5 to October 25, 2025. The slots were previously leased to Vietnam Airlines, whose term expires in April. Since facing European restrictions, PIA has used a "babysitting option" to retain its Heathrow slots by leasing them to Turkish Airlines, Saudi Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines. The airline previously held 10 Heathrow slots, with six leased to Turkish Airlines and two each to Saudia and Vietnam Airlines. Although PIA has resumed flights to Europe, including a recent Islamabad-Paris service, it remains barred from the UK and US. Last month, a delegation from the UK's Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority visited Pakistan to assess aviation safety protocols. The UK Safety Review Board is set to decide on PIA's operational clearance in a meeting scheduled for March 12-13. 'If Pakistan receives permission to resume its own flights to the UK, we will gradually reclaim these slots for our own operations,' Khan stated. Meanwhile, PIA continues to struggle with financial instability. The debt-ridden airline, which posted losses of $270 million in 2023 and holds liabilities nearing $3 billion, remains a key target for privatization by the Pakistani government. An earlier attempt to sell the airline fell through after a potential buyer offered significantly less than the asking price. Officials hope that the reopening of European routes will pave the way for further operational recoveries, potentially leading to future expansion in the UK market.
