COLOGNE/ISLAMABAD/BRUSSELS (The Thursday Times) — The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has initiated steps to remove restrictions previously imposed on Pakistani airlines operating within European countries, The Thursday Times has learnt.
Official sources have disclosed that both the European Commission and EASA have forwarded a positive recommendation concerning this matter to the European Air Safety Committee for final approval.
This forthcoming meeting, scheduled from May 14 to 16, will be crucial as it involves the potential renewal of the third-country operator license for one of Pakistan’s major airlines, PIA (Pakistan International Airlines). Such licenses are pivotal for airlines intending to operate flights within the European airspace.
In anticipation of this critical meeting, a high-level Pakistani delegation, led by the Secretary of Aviation, is set to depart for Brussels today. The agenda primarily focuses on discussing the operational capabilities and compliance of PIA with European aviation safety standards.
Notably, the ban on all other Pakistani airlines has already been lifted, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the European Commission. This allows these carriers to resume their services to European destinations without restrictions. The only remaining issues pertain to PIA, which will be specifically addressed in the upcoming meeting.
The initial ban, imposed in July 2020, had affected all Pakistani airlines due to concerns over safety standards and regulatory compliance. The lifting of these restrictions marks a turnaround in Pakistan’s aviation industry, signaling a restoration of trust and compliance with international aviation safety standards.
