PIA likely to get nod for Europe, UK flights as EASA audit scheduled

KARACHI: European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will conduct an audit of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in February, likely paving the way for the national flag carrier to begin flight operation for Britain and Europe, ARY NEWS reported.

According to sources privy to the development, the EASA has been in constant touch with PIA and will be carrying out an audit of the airline in the next month.

“EASA has conveyed a comprehensive schedule in this regard and will make a revisit to the measures adopted by the airline after an audit of Civil Aviation Authority by ICAO,” they said.

The sources said that the PIA flights may get clearance to operate for United Kingdom (UK) and Europe after the EASA audit in February.

A PIA spokesman while commenting on the update said that they would address concerns of the EASA with regard to safety, operations and engineering. “We are prepared for any audit from EASA,” the spokesman said and added their flight safety index is at the historic high currently.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recently expressed satisfaction over safety measures taken by Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The satisfaction with the safety measures has led to the removal of the PCAA from the list of the safety-significant concern (SSC).

After a nod from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has reached out to the European regulator to remove a ban on its flights to EU states and the United Kingdom (UK).