UK Lifts Ban on Pakistani Airlines After Years-Long Suspension

In a major breakthrough for Pakistan’s aviation industry, the United Kingdom has officially removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List, paving the way for national and private carriers to reapply for direct flight permissions to the UK. The decision was announced by the UK’s Air Safety Committee following years of technical collaboration with Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority and a thorough review of safety standards.

This move comes nearly four years after the ban was imposed in July 2020, following revelations by then-aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan during the PTI government that several pilots were operating with fraudulent licences. The statement, made after the tragic PIA Airbus A320 crash in Karachi that claimed nearly 100 lives, prompted the UK and European aviation regulators to suspend operations of Pakistani carriers.

While the removal from the Air Safety List is a significant milestone, Pakistani airlines must still secure individual operating permits from the UK Civil Aviation Authority before restarting services. This development is expected to benefit over 1.6 million people of Pakistani origin living in the UK, while also supporting trade ties between the two nations. Bilateral trade currently stands at £4.7 billion, with the UK ranked as Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner.

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The British High Commission in Islamabad praised the collaborative efforts that led to the decision. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott expressed her appreciation to aviation experts from both countries and said she looked forward to flying with a Pakistani airline once services resume. She noted that the process of restarting flights would not happen overnight but marked a strong step forward.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also welcomed the UK’s decision and described it as a positive step for Pakistan’s aviation sector. In a post on social media platform X, he thanked all stakeholders involved and noted that restoring access to UK routes would help reconnect Pakistani diaspora communities and boost confidence in the national airline. He criticized the previous government’s handling of aviation matters, blaming irresponsible statements for grounding Pakistan’s international credibility.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the country’s flagship carrier, has begun preparations to resume UK flights. The airline confirmed it has submitted a proposed schedule and intends to launch operations with three weekly flights between Islamabad and Manchester, subject to approval. The resumption could help recover some of the losses PIA incurred during the ban, previously estimated at around Rs40 billion annually. PIA also holds valuable landing slots at London’s Heathrow Airport, which could soon be reactivated.

This UK decision follows a similar move earlier this year by the European Union, which lifted its own flight restrictions on PIA and other Pakistani operators. In January, PIA operated its first direct flight to Paris in nearly four years, marking a return to European skies.

The latest announcement also comes as the Pakistani government moves ahead with its plan to privatise PIA. Four investor groups have been approved to bid for a 51 to 100 percent stake in the airline, with final offers expected later this year. The government hopes that recent reforms—which helped PIA record its first operating profit in 21 years—will attract serious buyers under the broader IMF-supported privatisation plan.

Defence Minister Blames PTI for PIA Crisis as UK Lifts Flight Ban

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly criticized the PTI leadership for triggering the downfall of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), blaming a controversial statement made by former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan for the international flight bans. Speaking at a press conference after the UK lifted its ban on Pakistani airlines, Asif accused Sarwar and PTI founder Imran Khan of turning PIA into a “graveyard,” calling the incident a “criminal act against the state” that caused billions in financial losses. He also hinted at possible legal consequences for Sarwar’s remarks, which had alleged the presence of fake pilot licences within PIA.

Asif praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the relevant aviation authorities for their dedicated efforts in securing the ban’s removal. He said the restoration of UK routes would benefit millions of overseas Pakistanis and increase the airline’s value as the government moves forward with privatization. Calling it a historic day, he noted that work is also in progress to resume PIA flights to New York and acquire fresh international operating licenses.

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