European Aviation Safety Agency lifts ban on PIA: Khawaja Asif

Aviation minister calls it a "memorable occasion" and a sign of progress for Pakistan’s aviation

The European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have officially lifted the suspension on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and granted authorisation for Airblue to operate flights to Europe, marking a significant milestone for Pakistan’s aviation sector. 

This development restores direct air links between Pakistan and European destinations, following a ban that had been in place since 2020.

Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the news on Friday, stating that the lifting of the suspension and the new authorisation for Airblue was made possible due to focused efforts by the Ministry of Aviation to strengthen the Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and improve safety oversight in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. 

Asif thanked both the European Commission and EASA for their transparent process and commitment to ensuring aviation safety in Pakistan. “This achievement is a testament to the PCAA’s renewed focus on improving airworthiness, pilot licencing, and flight safety,” Asif said in a statement on social media.

The decision follows the 2023 visit of an EASA and European Commission team to Pakistan, where they reviewed the country’s progress in addressing critical aviation safety concerns, particularly about pilot qualifications and the overall safety standards of Pakistan’s aviation industry. This visit was a key step toward regaining the trust of European regulators.

In 2020, EASA imposed a ban on PIA’s operations in Europe and the UK following a plane crash in Karachi that killed nearly 100 people, combined with revelations of dubious pilot licences. 

The ban significantly impacted PIA's revenue, costing the airline an estimated Rs 40 billion ($143.73 million) annually, according to the Ministry of State for Finance.

The lifting of the ban is seen as a critical recovery point for PIA, which had been barred from its most profitable European routes. The ban also hindered PIA’s privatisation efforts, as potential bidders had expressed reluctance to invest in the airline amid ongoing safety concerns.

In his comments, Asif highlighted key measures taken by the government to strengthen the PCAA, including the enactment of the PCAA Act, the separation of regulatory and service provider functions, and the appointment of professional leadership. He added that these reforms had played a significant role in meeting EASA’s stringent safety requirements.

PIA’s management also expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, with CEO Air Vice Marshal Aamir Hayat congratulating the Ministry of Aviation, the PCAA, and the entire PIA team for their hard work in meeting international safety standards. “This achievement is the result of four years of relentless efforts by PIA’s management,” said Hayat.

PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez confirmed that EASA had formally communicated its decision, praising the airline for its compliance with safety standards. He emphasised that PIA will continue to adhere to EASA’s regulations to maintain the safety and integrity of its operations.

With the ban lifted, PIA is now poised to regain its competitive edge in the European market. The move is expected to restore the airline's reputation and boost its financial standing, which had been severely affected by the prolonged suspension.

Additionally, it is hoped that the decision will pave the way for greater foreign investment and strengthen Pakistan’s aviation industry as a whole.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also took to social media to celebrate the development, sharing the official letter from EASA that confirmed PIA’s compliance with European safety regulations.