EASA suspends PIA flight operation to Europe

The European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) has suspended PIA’s air operations permit for European countries for six months, which will take effect on the night of July 1, 2020, according to UTC time.

As a result, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is temporarily canceling all its flights to Europe, however, passengers who have a PIA booking will have the option to extend the booking or get a refund.

PIA is in constant contact with the EASA and is taking corrective measures to address their concerns and an appeal is also being filed. PIA hopes that the suspension will be lifted as soon as possible as a result of steps taken by the government and the administration in this regard.

PIA flights suspended to operate to EU member states

According to the letter, EASA received information according to which on Wednesday 24 June 2020, the Aviation Minister, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, informed the Pakistani Parliament of the results of an investigations which revealed that more than 260 out of 860 pilot licenses issued by the Pakistani authorities and used by pilots operating for air operators certified in Pakistan are fraudulent.

Based on this information, EASA showed concerns about the validity of the Pakistani pilot licenses and that Pakistan is currently not capable to certify and oversee its operators and aircraft in accordance with applicable international standards.

However, pursuant to ART.235(a)(2) of Part-ART, EASA took adequate enforcement measures regarding this situation. Therefore, EASA formally notified PIA through a letter regarding the suspension of flight operations.

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PIA was furthermore given the opportunity to voice its opinion on EASA’s intentions to suspend the authorization.

In response to EASA’s consultation letter, PIA provided its opinion and additional information on EASA’s intention to suspend the TCO Authorization. However, the material was assessed by EASA as insufficient.

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