- The ban on PIA was imposed in 2020 due to safety concerns following an air crash in Karachi that resulted in nearly 100 fatalities
ISLAMABAD, November 29. The European aviation watchdog has lifted the ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), allowing the national flag carrier to resume flights to Europe, according to Aviation Minister Kh. Asif.
The ban, imposed in 2020 due to safety concerns following a fatal air crash in Karachi that claimed nearly 100 lives, has been lifted by the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Minister Asif hailed the development as a significant success for Pakistan.
“It is a momentous day to announce that the European Commission and EASA have lifted the suspension on PIA flights to Europe,” Asif stated in a post on X. “I am grateful to the European Commission and EASA for conducting a transparent process and our commitment to ensuring aviation safety in Pakistan.”
The original ban followed a controversial statement by then Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan, questioning the authenticity of many Pakistani pilots, which led EASA to ban PIA from its lucrative European and British routes. The restoration of flights to Europe is expected to aid in Pakistan’s efforts to privatize PIA.
