PIA removed from banned airlines list in EU territories

The name of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has finally been removed from the list of banned airlines on the website of the European Commission (EC).

According to the detail, the website of the EC for Mobility and Transport contains the list of all banned airlines. The national carrier has been removed from the banned or restricted airlines list in EU territories.

PIA spokesperson said that the removal of PIA’s name from the list is a positive step. The spokesperson hopes that the license issue will also be resolved soon and the national airline will resume operations to European countries and the United Kingdom.

Read also: EASA ready to lift the ban on PIA?

The spokesperson added that PIA is trying to provide the best European travel facilities to Pakistani travelers as soon as possible.

It is to be noted that European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), on December 2, 2020, issued a letter to the PIA stating that the documents submitted by the airline has been reviewed and found ‘satisfactory and sufficient’ as a first important step towards the lifting of ban on the airline.

Read also: PIA invites bids for 8 narrowbody aircraft

The letter expressed confidence in the PIA’s initiatives on safety management system for flight safety, but said that the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was not working to improve the pilot licensing system. Therefore, the current ban on PIA flights to Europe cannot be lifted.

Read also: PIA signs cargo charter with Oriental Sky Aviation Ltd

The Government of Pakistan must understand the gravity of the situation by making changes at the top level of the Civil Aviation Authroity to restore credibility and send a message to EASA and others that international safety standards will be strictly followed and in the future, the system of licenses issued and conduct of examinations will be transparent without any exception.

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