ISLAMABAD: The United States and European Union have allowed Pakistani airlines to resume their operations to their countries. This development has surfaced after the safety audit of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) of Pakistani airlines, including PIA.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Pakistani airlines would soon re-start their flights to US and Europe after safety clearance by the ICAO.
The ICAO, a United Nations aviation body, had advised Pakistan in September 2020 to carry out corrective action and stop issuing any new pilot licences after it learnt that bogus licenses may have been issued to unscrupulous elements.
The revelation surface following the crash of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft in May last year near Karachi airport, in which 97 passengers and crew died.
Many Pakistani pilots faced sanctions after the aviation minister said in the National Assembly that a third of them were holding fake licences.
After this development, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had taken serious notice and discontinued TCO (Third Country Operator) Authorisation for Pakistani carriers.
he USA had also downgraded Pakistan to category 2, which means no Pakistan origin aircraft was allowed to enter US territory.
In its January 4 letter to DG CAA Khaqan Murtaza, ICAO’s Deputy Director Denis Guindon wrote that the committee conducted the audit in December 2021 and “determined that the actions taken by Pakistan had successfully resolved SSC (Significant Safety Concern).”
“I wish to refer to the Significant Safety Concern (SSC/PEL-01/09-2020/PAK refers) that was issued to Pakistan on 18 September 2020 as well as the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) audit that was conducted by an ICAO team in Pakistan from 29 November to 10 December 2021.”
During the audit, the committee reviewed the corrective actions taken and related evidence presented by Pakistan to address the SSC regarding the licensing system of the State, specifically in relation to the examinations conducted by the CAA and by delegated or designated training organizations prior to the issuance of licences and ratings.
“In accordance with the USOAP SSC process, the ICAO SSC Validation Committee reviewed the actions and relevant evidence validated in Pakistan. The Committee determined that the actions taken by Pakistan had successfully resolved SSC,” the letter stated.
The ICAO official also thanked the aviation authority for assistance during the audit mission and reiterated appreciation for the active commitment of Pakistan towards achieving its safety objectives.
CAA approaches UK, EU
After this positive development, the Pakistani Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has appreciated the efforts of the entire regulatory team behind this success.
After passing the safety audit, the PCAA has started contacting UK CAA and European Commission to convey the resolution of safety concerns by ICAO.
The CAA has anticipated that Pakistani registered airlines will soon resume their operations to UK and Europe.
