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Pakistan

EASA ban on PIA flights to Europe lifted, says Khawaja Asif

  • In 2020, EASA banned PIA from its most lucrative routes in Europe, Britain after PIA plane crash in Karachi killed nearly 100, followed by scandal over pilot licenses
  • TCO authorisation issued to Airblue Limited as well
Published November 29, 2024

The European Commission and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted the suspension on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and also issued authorisation to Airblue flights to Europe, Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif said on Friday.

With the development, the nation can once again travel directly to European destinations using the national flag carrier, confirmed PIA separately in a statement.

“It is made possible due to the complete focus of the Aviation Ministry to strengthen PCAA and ensure safety oversight in line with ICAO standards,” Asif said in a post on X.

The decision comes after a year of the visit of a team of EASA and the European Commission to Pakistan. They reviewed measures taken by the PCAA regarding issues of pilot licences, airworthiness and flight safety.

In his tweet, Asif hailed the government’s significant measures to strengthen PCAA including the enactment of the PCAA Act, smooth segregation of regulators and service providers, and the appointment of professional leadership and training to build the capacity.

Religious ministry, PIA agree to provide travel services for 35,000 Hajj pilgrims

The minister thanked the European Commission and EASA for conducting a transparent process and commitment to ensure aviation safety in Pakistan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also posted on X about the development.

“This Authorisation confirms that M/S Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited has demonstrated to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency compliance with the requirements of Annex I (Part-TCO) to Commission Regulation (EU) No 452/2014.

“The Authorisation holder is entitled to apply for individual operating permits or equivalent documents to perform commercial air transport operations into , within or out of the territory subject to the provisions of the Treaty in accordance with the conditions defined in the specifications in their latest version as published electronically,” the EASA letter, shared by the foreign minister, stated.

In 2020, the EASA banned the PIA from its most lucrative routes in Europe and Britain after a PIA plane crash in Karachi in 2020 killed nearly 100, followed by a scandal over pilot licenses.

The ban cost the airline an annual revenue of nearly Rs40 billion ($143.73 million), Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Ali Pervaiz Malik informed the National Assembly in June.

He had further revealed that the European Commission and European Air Safety Commission had delisted Pakistan from its concern list on May 14, and had hoped that the PIA flights to Europe would be restored soon.

Meanwhile, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez also confirmed that EASA has lifted the ban on Pakistan airlines.

EASA has formally informed the Ministry of Aviation and the PIA management of their decision through an official communique, Hafeez said.

“EASA has also congratulated the PIA team and management for complying to their stringent most safety standards.”

The spokesperson stated that PIA will continue to strictly adhere to the EASA’s regulations and guidelines.

“This milestone has been achieved after four years of relentless efforts by the PIA management.”

PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Aamir Hayat also extended his congratulations to the officials of the Ministry of Aviation, the Civil Aviation Authority, and PIA team in particular for efforts to get the ban lifted.

PIA’s privatisation efforts had been hindered by the EASA ban with potential bidders looking at the airline with reluctance.

“CAA undertook stringent, monitored process’

“From 2020 to 2024, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority undertook a stringent, monitored process to improve requiring effort and dedication,” EU Ambassador to Pakistan Riina Kionka wrote in a post on X.

“As a result, EASA’s confidence has been restored. Like the decision now to authorise Pakistan airlines to fly to, from and within the Europe was a technical, not a political decision,” she said.

‘Great news for Pakistan’

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sent special compliments to the aviation ministry and the PIA for their efforts to get the ban lifted.

“Work hard in silence, let your success make the noise,” he wrote in a post on X. “Great news for Pakistan.”

Comments

200 characters
Abdullah Nov 29, 2024 07:44pm
Pti got us the ban and pmln got it off.no wonder pti only does destruction and chaos.
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mustafa Nov 29, 2024 09:00pm
good news
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Kakoola Nov 29, 2024 09:49pm
@Abdullah, how come political parties responsible corruption at CAA??? CAA is the one allowed unqualified pilots to fly planes.
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Ali Nov 29, 2024 10:15pm
The minister who made the irresponsible statement resulting in the ban should be held accountable&prosecuted.Just another PTI disaster;like economic deterioration,resurgence of terrorism&polarization.
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SAd Nov 29, 2024 11:11pm
Project restart going great
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Usman Nov 29, 2024 11:40pm
@Kakoola,and in 3 years PTI couldnt find any corruption done by those pilots.statement of an illiterate aviation minister and nation paid the price.same like illiterate bushra tried to kill pakistanis
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Obayd Nov 30, 2024 12:32am
Hello, I am a buyer of 25,000 tons of edible sugar, delivered to Jebel Ali. If you have it, please send me the price and specifications. 00989331445330
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Faiz Jalib Nov 30, 2024 03:58am
Who is behind bars for allowing unqualified pilots and banning of the national carrier? Mr Nobody. The messenger of course needs to be shot. The criminal lives in quiet luxury
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Kakoola Nov 30, 2024 05:20am
@Usman, don't blame minister, you live in a country where only mafia system works, nothing else. Don't act like you live in a perfect world.
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Kakoola Nov 30, 2024 05:23am
@Usman, And, you really think Pakistan has true democracy where political parties decide how the country is run? If you do, then I can only pray for all of yes, cause your wouldn't be alone.
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