Latest news with #AirSafetyList
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Flight ban no more
Listen to article The UK's decision to remove Pakistan from its Air Safety List this week is a rare bright light in the aviation sector, especially relating to PIA, which was the only local airline still operating regular flights to the UK when the ban was imposed in 2020. The move will be a massive windfall for PIA, which was unable to capitalise on lucrative UK routes, losing customers to Middle Eastern competitors and later, British Airways. The success of the latter shows that despite the high quality of service and relatively low prices of the Middle Eastern giants, there is still a significant market for direct flights. Indeed, prior to the shutdown, the UK routes were consistently among PIA's busiest and most lucrative flights. The ban's origins were steeped in tragedy - the 2020 PIA crash in Karachi that killed 98 people, followed by the claims of then-aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan that nearly one-third of Pakistani pilots held dubious licences. But although over 150 pilots were grounded for various licensing discrepancies, investigations cleared all except seven pilots who were then terminated. The damage though had already been done, and it took four years for the EU to withdraw their ban last year - leading to the resumption of flights to Paris and the possibility of addition of other EU routes - and even longer for the UK ban to be withdrawn. The government is also eyeing restarting PIA flights to New York, and although this proposal still appears to be in its infancy, it helps make PIA all the more appealing to any potential suitors. From a consumer perspective, the approval will probably not have an effect for several weeks, at the minimum, as re-authorisation of PIA's routes and reallocation of aeroplanes will take time. Other airlines will likely have to acquire additional long-haul aircraft if they want to start their own flights, which would take even longer and be more costly to set up. Still, the UK remains one of the most popular routes for expats and Pakistani tourists, and more competition on direct routes will benefit consumers, while also helping well-run local airlines grow.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Efforts underway to revive PIA: Khawaja Asif
Listen to article Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday said efforts are under way to revive Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), including restoring its New York flight, as part of broader plans to privatise the national carrier and rebuild its reputation. He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's leadership for what he called a 'historic milestone' and announced that the airline would soon be offered to private bidders as a fully functional and valuable asset. Earlier today, United Kingdom removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List, clearing the way for Pakistani airlines to apply for flight operations to the country. 'We are completing all essential processes first to increase the airline's market value,' he said, adding that the government had closely followed the guidance of aviation regulators to ease future approvals. Asif confirmed that once privatised, PIA would be equipped with new aircraft and given fresh international routes. 'Overseas Pakistanis will be able to travel home more easily,' he said. 'Both time and cost of travel will be reduced.' He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally monitored the revival process and received regular updates. 'Many friends and colleagues worked hard to make this possible,' defence minister said. 'Today marks a historic and memorable day.' Read: UK removes Pakistan from air safety list The minister noted that PIA once transported deceased Pakistanis' bodies free of charge, a service now lost. 'Now families have to spend thousands of dollars,' he said. 'It was a shock for the Pakistani diaspora. Many have now purchased burial plots abroad.' Asif placed blame for PIA's decline on the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. 'A ban was imposed on us during their tenure,' he said. 'Ghulam Sarwar criticised his own department and effectively invited international bodies to impose a ban on Pakistan's airline.' 'To this day, he has not offered any explanation for his remarks,' Asif said. 'Imran Khan is also responsible for this outcome.' He said the ban caused financial losses worth billions of rupees, but more damaging was the blow to national dignity. 'Our trained staff had helped establish other airlines in the region,' he noted. 'One individual erased all of that hard-earned reputation. What was his reason? That remains a troubling question.' Asif said the issue was now being resolved and confirmed that Airblue had also been granted permission to operate internationally. He praised the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), saying the European Union had regained confidence in the body. He also lauded Khawaja Saad Rafique for his contributions to aviation reform over the past two to three years. 'Today, we stand vindicated,' he concluded.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
UK lifts ban on Pakistani airlines after improvement in air safety standards
The UK has lifted a years-long ban on Pakistani airlines following improvements in the country's aviation safety standards, the British diplomatic mission in Islamabad said. The Air Safety Committee imposed the ban after Pakistan's aviation minister in June 2020 disclosed that nearly one-third of the country's pilots had cheated on their licensing exams. The claim came after a Pakistan International Airlines crash killed 97 people on May 24, 2020, in the southern city of Karachi. Wednesday's announcement follows a broader international recognition of Pakistan's efforts to improve air safety. Earlier this year, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency also lifted its five-year ban, allowing the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines to resume direct flights to Europe. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said that after 'extensive engagement' between the UK's Air Safety Committee and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, restrictions on Pakistani airlines have now been lifted. However, Ms Marriott said individual airlines will still need to apply for operating permits from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. 'I'm grateful to aviation experts in both the UK and Pakistan for their collaborative work to meet international safety standards,' she said. 'While it will take time for flights to resume, once the logistics are in place, I look forward to using a Pakistani carrier when visiting family and friends.' The high commission emphasised that decisions on delisting countries or carriers from the UK Air Safety List are made through an independent safety process overseen by the Air Safety Committee. With more than 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK, and thousands of British nationals residing in Pakistan, it said the move will help families to reconnect and potentially boost bilateral trade ties. Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif welcomed the decision. Speaking at a televised news conference on Wednesday, he attributed the ban to what he described as 'baseless' remarks made by former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan. He said Mr Khan's claim tarnished the country's image and triggered significant financial losses for Pakistan International Airlines.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
UK removes Pakistan from air safety list, allows airlines to reapply for flights
Listen to article The United Kingdom has removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List, clearing the way for Pakistani airlines to apply for flight operations to the country, UK's Air Safety Committee announced on Wednesday. Though Pakistani carriers can now apply to operate flights to the UK, each airline will still need to secure the necessary permits from the UK Civil Aviation Authority through a separate application process. The move follows years of technical collaboration between the UK's Air Safety Committee and Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), with officials confirming that sufficient improvements have been made since Pakistan was first listed in 2021 due to safety concerns. The decision is expected to ease travel for over 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK and thousands of British nationals in Pakistan. It may also support increased bilateral trade, which currently stands at £4.7 billion, making the UK Pakistan's third-largest trading partner. The UK's Air Safety Committee made the decision through an independent, technically-driven safety review process, which found that Pakistan had made the required safety upgrades. 'I'm grateful to aviation experts in the UK and Pakistan for their collaborative work to drive improvements to meet international safety standards. While it will take time for flights to resume, once the logistics are in place, I look forward to using a Pakistani carrier when visiting family and friends,' said British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE.
