EASA Lifts PIA’s EU Ban, Opening New Routes for Pakistan Airlines

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has lifted the four-year ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), allowing the airline to operate flights to the EU once again. This move follows a series of reforms and improvements in Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) oversight, which were necessary to address concerns that emerged after the tragic crash of Flight 8303 from Lahore to Karachi in May 2020. The crash, which claimed 97 lives, led to scrutiny over the validity of Pakistani pilots’ licenses, including those held by PIA pilots.

The ban, which initially grounded PIA’s flights to the EU and UK, was a significant setback for the airline. Since then, PIA has continued limited operations to the region using wet-leased aircraft. However, with EASA’s announcement on November 29, 2024, PIA has regained permission to perform commercial air transport operations to, from, and within the EU.

In a statement, EASA highlighted that the lifting of the ban was the result of extensive engagement with the PCAA, including on-site assessments in November 2023. The agency stated that it now has sufficient confidence in the PCAA’s ability to ensure safe oversight of airline operations, paving the way for PIA to resume full services to European destinations.

While EASA has made its decision, the UK Civil Aviation Authority has yet to comment on whether it will follow suit and lift the ban on PIA. The UK’s decision will likely influence PIA’s ability to fully regain its previous access to British airports, which included major hubs like London Heathrow, Birmingham, and Manchester.

Pakistan Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif welcomed the development as a major breakthrough for Pakistani airlines. Asif took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his gratitude, emphasizing that the Ministry of Aviation had worked tirelessly to meet the EU’s standards and audit requirements. He also noted that the EU had authorized Air Blue, another Pakistani carrier, to operate flights to Europe as well.

Before the pandemic, PIA operated 17 routes to the EU and the UK, including popular destinations such as Barcelona, Milan, Paris, and Copenhagen. In early 2020, the airline provided around 34 roundtrip services per week, offering more than 23,000 seats each week. However, currently, there are no nonstop flights between Pakistan and the EU, with British Airways being the only airline offering direct flights between the UK and Pakistan.

Overall, O&D traffic (origin and destination traffic) between Pakistan and Europe grew by 17% in 2023, reaching a total of 3 million passengers, compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Major one-stop markets like Dubai, Doha, and Istanbul continue to dominate the region, but the reinstatement of PIA’s EU operations is expected to help recapture some of the lost market share.

With the lifting of the EU ban, PIA is now positioned to rebuild its European network, offering much-needed connectivity for travelers between Pakistan and Europe once again.

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