In a major breakthrough, the UK’s Air Safety Committee has lifted sanctions on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), allowing all Pakistani airlines to apply for operating permits in the United Kingdom. These restrictions, imposed in 2021 over safety compliance concerns, were reversed after significant improvements by Pakistani aviation authorities, marking a new chapter for the country’s aviation sector.
With the ban now removed, Pakistani carriers can submit license applications to the UK Civil Aviation Authority. While regulatory clearance is a key milestone, officials note that direct flights may still take some time to resume due to logistical and operational preparations. Still, the decision is a crucial step toward restoring air links between the two nations.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, welcomed the move, highlighting the coordinated efforts between both countries. The UK government stressed that the decision followed independent and rigorous technical evaluations. Over the years, UK aviation authorities worked closely with Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority to ensure all safety benchmarks were met.
“I’m grateful to aviation experts in the UK and Pakistan for their collaborative work to drive improvements to meet international safety standards. While it will take time for flights to resume, once the logistics are in place, I look forward to using a Pakistani carrier when visiting family and friends,” she said.
This progress is especially meaningful given the deep social and economic ties between the UK and Pakistan. With over 1.6 million people of Pakistani origin living in the UK and thousands of British nationals in Pakistan, the return of direct flights is expected to strengthen family connections and boost the £4.7 billion trade relationship between the two countries.