UK Flight Operations
LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Saturday that efforts are underway to resume Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) flight operations to and from the United Kingdom.
This marks a significant development as the aviation services between Pakistan and the UK have been suspended for over four years.
Addressing the Pakistani diaspora during his visit to Britain, Dar emphasized that the government is committed to restoring these flights as soon as possible.
He revealed that substantial efforts have been made to address the issues hindering the resumption of PIA’s flights, including updating laws to meet the latest requirements set by the UK’s Aviation Authority.
The suspension of PIA flights to Europe and the UK dates back to 2020, when the European Union’s Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) revoked the national carrier’s authorization to operate within the bloc.
This action was prompted by a scandal involving fake pilot licenses in Pakistan. As a result, 262 of Pakistan’s 860 pilots, including 141 from PIA, had their licenses deemed “dubious” by the then aviation minister, Ghulam Sarwar Khan. This situation severely impacted PIA’s ability to operate flights to European and Western destinations.
Dar criticized the “irresponsible statement” made by a former minister from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government, which he claimed led to the grounding of all Pakistani aircraft in Europe, the UK, and the wider Western world. He assured that the current government is taking proactive measures to rectify the situation.
In addition to efforts to resume PIA flights, Dar mentioned two key initiatives: the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines and the outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport. He expressed optimism that these processes are progressing rapidly and could be completed by mid-October.
Highlighting the importance of the UK-Pakistan relationship, Dar noted that the true cornerstone of this bilateral partnership is the Pakistani diaspora residing in the UK. He underlined Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining and strengthening this long-standing relationship.
During his visit, Dar also held discussions with British officials, including his counterpart Angela Rayner, to further the talks on resuming PIA’s flight operations.
In his press conference in London, Dar reiterated Pakistan’s determination to comply with international aviation standards and assured that all efforts are being made to restore flight services.
Overall, Dar’s statements reflect a concerted effort by the Pakistani government to address past issues and rebuild its aviation ties with the UK, aiming to reinstate PIA’s operations and enhance bilateral relations.
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