UK team reviews PIA safety systems

Examines airline and CAA measures for Pakistan-UK flights

KARACHI:

A team from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) visited Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) headquarters and various Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) departments to review safety arrangements for direct flights from Pakistan to the United Kingdom.

According to sources, the UK CAA team examined PIA's Safety Management System (SMS) and other relevant departments. PIA officials, led by Chief Executive Officer Amir Hayat, briefed the British delegation on the airline's safety arrangements and related matters.

The UK CAA officials also questioned PIA authorities on various aspects of the safety of flights and aircraft operating between Pakistan and the UK.

Sources said the UK CAA team expressed satisfaction with PIA's Safety Management System and measures taken in accordance with international standards, and appreciated the airline's safety management arrangements.

According to sources, PIA's measures to comply with international safety standards had contributed to the restoration of permission for direct flights from Pakistan to the UK.

CAA officials accompanied the UK delegation during the visit. After visiting the PIA headquarters, the team also reviewed relevant CAA departments, including licensing, airworthiness and flight standards.

Sources said the UK team also examined the CAA's Safety Management System.

The British team arrived in Karachi a few days earlier and conducted a detailed review of safety arrangements concerning flights operating from Pakistan to the UK.

On July 16, 2025, Britain lifted a five-year ban on Pakistani airlines, allowing them to apply to resume flights to and from the UK. PIA was barred from flying to the UK in June 2020, a month after one of its aircraft plunged into a Karachi neighbourhood, killing 97 people.

The disaster was attributed to human error by the pilots and air traffic control, followed by allegations that nearly a third of its pilots' licences were fake or dubious. Pakistan launched an investigation to examine these claims.

Last year, the UK Air Safety Committee decided to lift the ban following aviation safety improvements in Pakistan. Subsequently, the airline resumed flights to the UK, with flight operations to Manchester resuming in the first phase.

PIA resumed its London flight operations on March 29 after a six-year gap, restoring a long-standing route between Pakistan and the UK.