Pakistan Awaits UK Audit for Flight Resumption
The UK's audit of Pakistan's aviation standards may lead to the resumption of direct PIA flights to the UK, boosting the airline and the country's aviation sector, following the EU's decision to lift its ban on PIA in December 2024.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is on the verge of resuming direct flights to the United Kingdom (UK) after a scheduled audit by the UK's Department for Transport, aiming to assess Pakistan's aviation standards and potentially lift the ban imposed due to safety concerns.
A seven-member team from the UK's Department for Transport has arrived in Pakistan to conduct the audit, which will examine key areas such as licensing protocols, aircraft airworthiness, flight standards, and overall aviation safety measures. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has expressed confidence in the nation's preparedness for the audit, citing extensive preparations regarding international aviation safety requirements.
The outcome of the inspection could pave the way for the reinstatement of direct PIA flights to the UK, which would be a significant boost for the airline and the country's aviation sector. The UK ban had significantly affected PIA's operations and revenue, and the airline aims to reinstate flights from Islamabad and Lahore to key UK destinations, including London, Manchester, and Birmingham.
The success of the audit and resumed UK operations could lead to the reestablishment of PIA's flights to the United States. This development follows the European Union's decision to lift its ban on PIA in December 2024, enabling the airline to operate in the EU. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is conducting a safety audit in Pakistan to determine whether to allow Pakistani airlines to resume flights to UK airports, primarily benefiting PIA.
The audit is a significant step towards resuming Pakistani airlines' operations to the UK, which were banned in 2020 due to concerns about fake pilot licenses. The PCAA is hopeful about the outcome, and if successful, the audit will pave the way for Pakistani airlines to resume direct flights to the UK, marking a major milestone for Pakistan's aviation sector.
