PIA's return to Europe

After three long years, PIA is finally ready to spread its wings over Europe once again. The European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency have lifted the ban that clipped PIA's most lucrative routes, slashing its annual revenue by nearly Rs40 billion. This clearance is a breath of fresh air for the struggling national carrier - but whether it translates into smooth skies or more turbulence remains to be seen.

The saga began in June 2020 when then aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan – speaking on the floor of the National Assembly in the wake of the PIA plane crash in which 99 lives were lost – said that many PIA pilots were flying with dubious licences. The scandal sent shockwaves across the aviation world, prompting Europe to slam its doors shut on the airline. PIA's wings were clipped, its reputation nose-dived, and the loss of revenue from Europe became a bleeding wound. Fast forward to today, and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif is celebrating what he calls the aviation ministry's "complete focus" on aligning the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority with international safety standards. In these trying times for PIA and for the country, gaining the nod of approval from the International Civil Aviation Organization is crucial in restoring the trust that once seemed irreparably damaged.

But while Europe may have opened its skies, the question is: can PIA take off? The airline is critically short of aircraft, meaning it may struggle to immediately capitalise on these reopened routes. The timing couldn't be more critical, as the government is also pushing for PIA's privatisation. Asif believes the restoration of European routes is a "major value addition" that will make the airline more attractive to potential buyers. Yet, for an airline with operational challenges and a tarnished reputation, it may still be a hard sell. The airline must ensure that safety standards are maintained. One more slip-up, and the trust it has begun to regain could evaporate overnight.