Latest news with #flightban
UAE Moments
21 hours ago
- Business
- UAE Moments
UK Lifts Ban on Pakistani Airlines After 5 Years
The United Kingdom has officially lifted a five-year ban on Pakistani airlines, allowing carriers to apply for UK flight permissions. The restriction, first imposed in mid-2020, followed a tragic Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crash in Karachi that killed 97 people and exposed pilot-license fraud allegations—nearly one-third of pilot licences were reportedly fraudulent. This move echoes an earlier decision by the European Union and comes after Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority implemented robust safety reforms within industry standards . The British High Commission in Islamabad confirmed the decision was made by the UK's independent Air Safety Committee, following extensive reviews and collaboration with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. While the ban is lifted, Pakistani airlines—most notably PIA—must still secure individual operating permits from the UK Civil Aviation Authority before resuming flights. PIA, the country's flagship carrier and long-haul pioneer, had suffered significant financial losses—nearly 40 billion rupees (~$144 million) annually—due to being barred from flying to the UK. Eager to reclaim valuable routes, PIA reports it's finalizing preparations to reinstate the Islamabad–Manchester service, launching with three weekly flights once scheduling and regulatory approvals are secured. This development also aligns with ongoing privatization reforms. Pakistan's government recently authorized four consortiums to bid on 51‑100% of PIA, as part of an IMF-supported turnaround strategy. The restoration of UK and EU access is seen as a significant boost to PIA's market value ahead of the privatization process. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif emphasized that resuming these routes will enhance PIA's appeal to potential investors and contribute to plans for adding destinations like New York. The ban's removal offers a direct benefit to over 1.6 million UK residents of Pakistani origin, fostering easier family reunifications and strengthening bilateral trade ties. Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Defence Minister Asif, hailed the decision as a milestone reflecting both improved aviation safety and proactive diplomatic efforts. Restoring long-haul flights underscores the broader transformation within Pakistan's aviation sector, from safety lapses to structural reform and re-engagement with global markets. As Pakistani airlines gear up for a phased return to British airspace, this move highlights not only technical progress but also renewed prospects for economic growth, cultural exchange, and national pride.
Arab News
a day ago
- Business
- Arab News
UK removes Pakistan from Air Safety List, clears path for flight resumption
ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom has removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List, the British High Commission announced on Wednesday, paving the way for Pakistani airlines to apply for permits to operate flights to the UK. Pakistani airlines were barred from flying to the European Union, United Kingdom and the United States following the crash of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Airbus A320 in a residential area of Karachi that killed nearly 100 people in May 2020. The crash was attributed to human error by both the pilots and air traffic controllers and was followed by claims that a significant number of Pakistani pilots held dubious or fake licenses. PIA resumed operations to Europe earlier this year after a four-and-a-half-year ban was lifted by EU regulators. The airline relaunched flights from Islamabad to Paris on January 10 and introduced direct flights from Lahore to Paris in June. 'I'm grateful to aviation experts in the UK and Pakistan for their collaborative work to drive improvements to meet international safety standards,' British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said in the statement. '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 said the decision to remove Pakistan and its carriers from the UK Air Safety List followed years of engagement between the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and UK regulators. The UK's Air Safety Committee, which oversees the safety list through an independent technical process, determined that Pakistan had made the necessary improvements, continued the statement. With over 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK and thousands of British nationals residing in Pakistan, the decision is expected to ease family travel and boost trade. The UK is Pakistan's third-largest trading partner, with a bilateral relationship valued at £4.7 billion.
