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The National
6 days ago
- Business
- The National
UK lifts ban on Pakistani airlines after five years
Britain has lifted a ban on Pakistani airlines following improvements in the country's aviation safety standards, the UK's diplomatic mission in Islamabad said on Wednesday. The UK's Air Safety Committee imposed the ban after Pakistan's aviation minister disclosed in June 2020 that nearly one-third of the country's pilots had cheated in their licence exams. The claim came after a Pakistan International Airlines crash killed 97 people on May 22, 2020, in the southern city of Karachi. The disaster was attributed to human error by the pilots and air traffic control Wednesday's announcement follows a broader international recognition of Pakistan's efforts to improve air safety. Earlier this year, Pakistan International Airlines, the national flag carrier, resumed direct flights to Europe after the European Union Aviation Safety Agency lifted its four-year ban. The airline said it would resume services to Britain in 'the shortest possible time' and the first flights would operate from Islamabad to Manchester. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said that after 'extensive engagement' between the UK's Air Safety Committee and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, restrictions on Pakistani airlines have been lifted. Ms Marriott said individual airlines will still need to apply for operating permits from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. 'I'm grateful to aviation experts in both the UK and Pakistan for their collaborative work to meet international safety standards,' she said. 'While it will take time for flights to resume, once the logistics are in place, I look forward to using a Pakistani carrier when visiting family and friends.' The high commission emphasised that decisions on removing countries or carriers from the UK Air Safety List are made through an independent safety process overseen by the Air Safety Committee. With more than 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK and thousands of British nationals living in Pakistan, the move will help families to reconnect and potentially boost bilateral trade ties, it said. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif welcomed the decision. Speaking at a televised news conference on Wednesday, he attributed the ban to 'baseless' remarks by former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UK lifts years-long ban on Pakistani airlines after improvement in air safety standards
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Britain has lifted a years-long ban on Pakistani airlines following improvements in the country's aviation safety standards, the British diplomatic mission in Islamabad said Wednesday. The U.K.'s Air Safety Committee imposed the ban after Pakistan's aviation minister in June 2020 disclosed that nearly one-third of the country's pilots had cheated on their licensing exams. The claim came after a Pakistan International Airlines crash killed 97 people on May 24, 2020, in the southern city of Karachi. Wednesday's announcement follows a broader international recognition of Pakistan's efforts to improve air safety. Earlier this year, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency also lifted its five-year-long ban, allowing the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines to resume direct flights to Europe. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said that after 'extensive engagement' between the U.K.'s Air Safety Committee and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, restrictions on Pakistani airlines have now been lifted. U.K. diplomatic missions in Commonwealth countries are known as high commissions and are equivalent to embassies. However, Marriott said individual airlines will still need to apply for operating permits from the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority. 'I'm grateful to aviation experts in both the U.K. and Pakistan for their collaborative work to meet international safety standards,' she said. 'While it will take time for flights to resume, once the logistics are in place, I look forward to using a Pakistani carrier when visiting family and friends." The high commission emphasized that decisions on delisting countries or carriers from the U.K. Air Safety List are made through an independent safety process overseen by the Air Safety Committee. With more than 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the U.K., and thousands of British nationals residing in Pakistan, it said the move will help families to reconnect and potentially boost bilateral trade ties. Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif welcomed the decision. Speaking at a televised news conference on Wednesday, he attributed the ban to what he described as 'baseless' remarks made by former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan. He said Khan's claim tarnished the country's image and triggered significant financial losses for Pakistan International Airlines. Munir Ahmed, The Associated Press
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
UK removes flight ban on Pakistan
In a major development for the country's aviation sector, the UK's Air Safety Committee, following air safety improvements, has lifted its restrictions on Pakistani carriers. Individual airline carriers will still need to apply for permits to operate to the UK through the UK Civil Aviation Authority, read a statement released by the British High Commission. 'I'm grateful to aviation experts in the UK and Pakistan for their collaborative work to drive improvements to meet international safety standards,' said Jane Marriott, British High Commissioner. 'While it will take time for flights to resume, once the logistics are in place, I look forward to using a Pakistani carrier when visiting family and friends.' Flight resumption: UK's go-ahead likely by first quarter of 2025 Decisions on de-listing states and air carriers from the UK Air Safety List are made through an independent aviation safety process. This is overseen by the UK's Air Safety Committee, which has been closely engaging with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority over several years, it said. The committee has judged that necessary safety improvements have been made since its original decision in 2021. Therefore, based on this independent and technically-driven process, it has decided to remove Pakistan and its air carriers from the list. With over 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK and thousands of British nationals in Pakistan, today's announcement brings opportunities to make it easier for families to reunite, read the statement. The UK is Pakistan's third-largest trading partner, with a bilateral relationship worth £4.7 billion. Any ease in travel between both countries will help this important trade relationship to thrive, the British High Commission said. It is pertinent to mention that the ban was imposed in 2020, days after Pakistan launched an investigation into the validity of pilot licenses issued in the country following a PIA plane crash that killed 97 people. Boost privatisation efforts Addressing a press conference, Federal Minister for Aviation Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that the resumption of all routes would improve PIA's value ahead of the privatisation. 'We hope to fetch better value for PIA amid the latest development.' Earlier this month, Pakistan approved four groups to bid for a 51-100% stake in PIA. Final bids are expected later this year. He strongly criticized former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan for inviting international regulators, which ultimately led to a ban on Pakistan's national airline. 'I believe he [Sarwar] committed a crime against the state. To date, he has not given any explanation,' said Asif. 'We suffered losses amounting to billions while our national reputation was severely damaged.' Before the suspension, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operated 21 weekly flights to the UK, including 10 to London, 9 to Manchester, and 2 to Birmingham. The potential resumption could substantially improve the connectivity for Pakistani passengers travelling to the UK and Europe. 'The government will now pursue action against those who are responsible for this loss,' Asif added. 'Now that the ban has been lifted, we will apply for operating licenses,' he said, adding that Air Blue, alongside PIA, has also been allowed to resume operations. Asif said that the development serves as an endorsement by the UK and European authorities that Pakistan's civil aviation regulator is operating in line with international standards. Apart from this, the government is also pursuing the resumption of flight operations to New York. 'Although there was no official ban, we were unable to operate amid aircraft shortage,' he said. PM lauds development In a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the lifting of the ban on Pakistani airlines by British authorities. 'Due to irresponsible statements by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders in the past, Pakistani airlines were banned and the country's reputation was damaged,' the PM was quoted as saying in the statement. He said the resumption of PIA flights between Pakistan and the UK is an important milestone for the country. 'This positive development will enhance Pakistan's reputation internationally and further promote Pakistan's bilateral cooperation with the UK.' Steps are being taken to bring Pakistani airlines on par with global companies, he added.
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
UK removes Pakistan from air safety list
In a major development for the country's aviation sector, the UK's Air Safety Committee, following air safety improvements, has lifted its restrictions on Pakistani carriers. Individual airline carriers will still need to apply for permits to operate to the UK through the UK Civil Aviation Authority, read a statement released by the British High Commission. 'I'm grateful to aviation experts in the UK and Pakistan for their collaborative work to drive improvements to meet international safety standards,' said Jane Marriott, British High Commissioner. 'While it will take time for flights to resume, once the logistics are in place, I look forward to using a Pakistani carrier when visiting family and friends.' Decisions on de-listing states and air carriers from the UK Air Safety List are made through an independent aviation safety process. This is overseen by the UK's Air Safety Committee, which has been closely engaging with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority over several years, it said. The committee has judged that necessary safety improvements have been made since its original decision in 2021. Therefore, based on this independent and technically-driven process, it has decided to remove Pakistan and its air carriers from the list. With over 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK and thousands of British nationals in Pakistan, today's announcement brings opportunities to make it easier for families to reunite, read the statement. The UK is Pakistan's third-largest trading partner, with a bilateral relationship worth £4.7 billion. Any ease in travel between both countries will help this important trade relationship to thrive.
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
UK removes Pakistan from air safety list, allows airlines to reapply for flights
Listen to article The United Kingdom has removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List, clearing the way for Pakistani airlines to apply for flight operations to the country, UK's Air Safety Committee announced on Wednesday. Though Pakistani carriers can now apply to operate flights to the UK, each airline will still need to secure the necessary permits from the UK Civil Aviation Authority through a separate application process. The move follows years of technical collaboration between the UK's Air Safety Committee and Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), with officials confirming that sufficient improvements have been made since Pakistan was first listed in 2021 due to safety concerns. The decision is expected to ease travel for over 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK and thousands of British nationals in Pakistan. It may also support increased bilateral trade, which currently stands at £4.7 billion, making the UK Pakistan's third-largest trading partner. The UK's Air Safety Committee made the decision through an independent, technically-driven safety review process, which found that Pakistan had made the required safety upgrades. 'I'm grateful to aviation experts in the UK and Pakistan for their collaborative work to drive improvements to meet international safety standards. While it will take time for flights to resume, once the logistics are in place, I look forward to using a Pakistani carrier when visiting family and friends,' said British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE.
