PIA set to resume UK, EU flight operations from next month

KARACHI: After a nod from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is all set to resume flight operations for EU states and the United Kingdom (UK) from February, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

PIA was restricted from flying to EU states, the US and the UK last year in July after the EASA suspended the national airline’s authorisation to operate flights to EU member states.

The restrictions were imposed in the wake of the May 20, 2022 Karachi plane crash and a statement by Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar that around 40 per cent of Pakistani pilots had fake licences.

According to a flight schedule available on PIA’s website, the national flag carrier will begin operating flights between major Pakistani cities and London in February.

Bookings for London-bound flights from Karachi and Lahore will open from February 10, while flights from Islamabad will start February 12.

Also Read: Pakistani airlines to resume UK, EU flights after clearing ICAO safety audit

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

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had also reached out to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to remove a ban on its flights to EU states and the United Kingdom (UK).

The national flag carrier stated that the global aviation watchdog ICAO has cleared the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) from its significant safety concerns, requesting the EASA to end restrictions on the airline’s flights to EU states and the UK.