PIA surprised aviation circles by passing with flying colors a Basic Aviation Risk Assessment audit of airline carried out by European Union aviation audit team. EU inspectors have cleared airline with nil findings/objections in its operations viz safety of passengers and aircraft. This audit is a mandatory requirement for aircraft operating in or even overflying Europe, and since PIA is also having more and more charter business from UN etc., these days it was a must.
National flag carrier after this success is gearing up for EASA 145 certification which is another milestone required for making PIA engineering facilities a revenue making entity by offering services to regional airlines. PIA quality assurance team has already conducted audit of flights operations, flight safety, engineering facilities. PIA and Civil Aviation Authority CAA teams will also jointly conduct quality assurance audit so that airline could make headway in obtaining EASA 145 certification.
EASA Part 145 applies to aircraft maintenance sector. It is standards for certification and operation of an aircraft maintenance organization, such as a repair station, and its employees. EASA regulates and enforces standards for civil aviation safety in Europe. They serve same purpose as Federal Aviation Administration does for United States. Once a repair station has a Part 145 certification, they will be a recognized maintenance organization worldwide. However, applicable rules must be adhered to.
EASA accepts some non-EASA member state based maintenance organizations and repair stations as long as a recognized Authority certifies them. For an agency to be considered an Authority by EASA, it must conform to standards equivalent to EASA 145.
This certification was necessary for airline to become a hub of engineering for regional carriers who often have to send their parts and engines to Europe and Far East for repairs, PIA has its eyes on this huge business but due to lack of vision and interest by previous managements it even lost EASA 145 certification which was a prerequisite not only for this business but also for some of its own flights to operate in Europe and US.