Pakistan to appeal against European Air Safety Agency ban

Despite getting its appeal rejected, Pakistan International Airline (PIA) remains persistent to resolve its ban issue with the European Air Safety Agency (EASA).

As per details, the national air carrier is in contact with EASA, informed Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar, who was of the view that the issue is expected to be resolved in two months.

Sarwar added that the government would be filing an appeal against EASA’s decision on August 31. Just days ago, EASA rejected the appeal of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), as the agency decided to maintain the ban on PIA flights till December 31 and at the same time threatened that the ban could be extended if they are not satisfied with the safety measures of Pakistan Civil Aviation.

However, the extension in the ban is conditional on Pakistan's civil aviation measures, said EASA.

On July 1, the European Air Safety Agency (EASA) issued a six-month ban on all PIA flights to Europe. The United Kingdom and the USA followed suit imposing a ban on all PIA flights.

The ban comes in the aftermath of an inquiry report regarding the crash of PIA flight 8303, operated by Airbus A320. In June, Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar stated that 260 of 860 Pakistani pilots, including 141 PIA pilots, never sat for the exams and that their licenses were fake.