Pakistan’s Aviation Industry Gets Boost as EASA Lifts Ban on PIA Flights

Islamabad (Daily Pakistan Online) In a significant development, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has lifted its ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Europe, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Friday ¹. The EASA’s decision comes after the Aviation Ministry’s efforts to strengthen the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and ensure safety oversight in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
Asif, who is also the aviation minister, credited the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government for taking significant measures to strengthen the PCAA, including the enactment of the PCAA Act and the appointment of professional leadership. The minister expressed gratitude to the European Commission and the EASA for conducting a transparent process and acknowledged Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring aviation safety.
The lifting of the ban is expected to help in the privatization of the loss-making national carrier, with PIA’s flight operations to the EU set to be restored soon. This development marks a significant milestone for Pakistan’s aviation industry, which has been working to regain international confidence after the ban was imposed in 2020 due to safety concerns.