Latest news with #banlifted
CNA
17-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Argentine clubs welcome back away fans after 12 years
BUENOS AIRES :Argentine football clubs can now welcome away supporters after a 12-year ban, the Argentine Football Association said on Thursday. The ban, imposed in 2013 following violent incidents, including the death of a spectator, has now been lifted as part of a staged reintroduction ahead of the next round of fixtures in the current league campaign. "This is a historic day because it marks the beginning of the return of visiting fans, enabling clubs that wish to host them to do so," AFA president Claudio Tapia said at a press conference. He added that the move was partly motivated by the excitement surrounding Angel Di Maria's return to Argentina's top flight. Test events are scheduled for this weekend, including Di María's presentation with Rosario Central at Lanus' stadium and River Plate's visit to Instituto de Cordoba. Rosario Central president Gonzalo Belloso appealed to his club's fans to behave appropriately amid the renewed presence of rival supporters. Javier Alonso, the Buenos Aires Province Security Minister, stressed that clubs wishing to host visiting fans will need to secure approval from the authorities and that the away team must ensure the responsible behaviour of its supporters.
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
The national carrier preparing to resume flights to the UK
Britain has lifted a five-year ban on Pakistani airlines, which was imposed in 2020 following a plane crash that killed 97 people and an investigation into pilot licence validity. The British High Commission stated that the ban's removal is a result of improved aviation safety standards in Pakistan, enabling airlines to apply to resume UK flights. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency had also lifted its five-year ban earlier this year, after which Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed direct flights to Europe. PIA, which previously estimated an annual revenue loss of around 40 billion rupees ($144 million) due to the ban, is finalising preparations to resume UK flights, with the Islamabad - Manchester route planned as the first. Pakistan 's Defence Minister welcomed the decision, highlighting that it would enhance PIA's value ahead of its planned privatisation, following recent reforms that led to the airline's first operating profit in 21 years.
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
UK to lift ban on Pakistani airlines after years of restrictions
Britain has lifted a five-year ban on Pakistani airlines following improvements in the country's aviation safety standards. The UK's Air Safety Committee imposed the ban in 2020, days after Pakistan launched an investigation into the validity of pilot licences issued in the country following a plane crash that killed 97 people on May 24, 2020, in the southern city of Karachi. The British High Commission said on Wednesday that the lifting of the ban followed safety improvements by Pakistani authorities, allowing airlines to apply to resume UK flights. Earlier this year, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency also lifted its five-year-long ban, and the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed direct flights to Europe soon after. While several private Pakistani airlines operate domestically and on regional routes, primarily to the Middle East, PIA has historically been the only carrier to operate long-haul flights to Britain and the European Union. PIA had previously estimated an annual revenue loss of around 40 billion rupees ($144 million) due to the ban. The airline has long considered UK routes, including London, Manchester, and Birmingham, among its most profitable, and holds sought-after landing slots at London's Heathrow Airport that could become active again. PIA's spokesperson said the airline was finalising preparations to resume UK flights "in the shortest possible time" and had submitted its proposed schedule. Flights would resume with the Islamabad - Manchester route, with three weekly flights planned initially pending schedule approval, the spokesperson added. Earlier this month, Pakistan approved four groups to bid for a 51-100 per cent stake in PIA. Final bids are expected later this year. The government is hoping that recent reforms, which led to the airline's first operating profit in 21 years, will help attract buyers under a broader IMF -backed privatisation push. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif welcomed the decision. During a press conference on Wednesday, he attributed the ban to what he described as 'baseless' remarks made by former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan. He said Khan's claim tarnished the country's image and triggered significant financial losses for PIA. He said the resumption of all routes would improve PIA's value ahead of the privatisation and confirmed there were plans to restart flights to New York.
Khaleej Times
16-07-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Pakistani airline resumes flights to UK after 5-year-ban ends
Britain has lifted restrictions on Pakistani airlines, the UK embassy in Islamabad said on Wednesday, ending a five-year ban on the country's beleaguered national carrier. Flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines was barred from flying to Britain in June 2020, a month after one of its aircrafts plunged into a Karachi street, killing nearly 100 people. The disaster was attributed to human error by the pilots and air traffic control, and was followed by allegations that nearly a third of the licences for its pilots were fake or dubious. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The UK Air Safety Committee had decided to lift the ban following aviation safety improvements in Pakistan, the British High Commission in Islamabad said, adding that decisions on de-listing states and air carriers were made "through an independent aviation safety process". "Based on this independent and technically-driven process, it has decided to remove Pakistan and its air carriers from the (UK Air Safety) List," it said in a statement. The move comes after European regulators lifted a four-year ban on PIA, with the Pakistani state-owned carrier resuming flights to Europe in January. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the lifting of the ban as "an important milestone for the country". "The lifting of the ban on Pakistani flights by the UK is a source of relief for Pakistanis residing in Britain," he added in a statement. PIA said it would resume services to Britain in "the shortest possible time" with the first flights operating from Islamabad to Manchester. Aviation minister Khawaja Asif acknowledged the ban had caused losses. "Confidence is being restored in Pakistani airlines once again," he said at a news conference in Islamabad. PIA, which employs 7,000 people, has long been accused of being bloated and poorly run — hobbled by unpaid bills, a poor safety record and regulatory issues. Pakistan's government has said it is committed to privatising the debt-ridden airline and has been scrambling to find a buyer. In 2024, a deal fell through after a potential buyer reportedly offered a fraction of the asking price. PIA came into being in 1955 when the government nationalised a loss-making commercial airline, and enjoyed rapid growth until the 1990s.
