EU requests PIA to evacuate its employees from Afghanistan

Request comes after EASA extended travel restrictions on PIA for an indefinite period

ISLAMABAD:

After retaining an indefinite ban on the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to enter European Union member states, the EU has sought help from the national flag carrier to evacuate their employees from Afghanistan.

The European Union officials have requested evacuation support from Pakistani authorities as the window for airlifting is narrowing down. The member states have so far evacuated the bulk of their diplomatic corps and local staff from Kabul.

The majority of EU personnel has already fled the country after the Taliban takeover and deteriorating security situation, particularly after the suicide bombings in the vicinities of the Kabul airport where desperate attempts are afoot to pull out westerners.

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In July 2020, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had suspended the third country operator authorisation of PIA to operate flights in the EU member states for six months due to safety concerns.

However, in April, the EASA extended travel restrictions for an indefinite period and directed the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to get its safety audit done by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).