NEWS DESK
ISLAMABAD: The European Commission and the European Air Safety Agency (EASA) have officially lifted the ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Europe, announced Minister for Defense and Aviation, Khawaja Muhammad, on Friday.
The ban, imposed in June 2020, followed controversial remarks by Ghulam Sarwar Khan, the then aviation minister in the Imran Khan-led government. Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Ghulam Sarwar claimed that many PIA pilots held fake licenses, a statement that triggered global safety concerns and led to the suspension of PIA operations in European airspace.
Speaking on the development, the minister called it a historic milestone for Pakistan, attributing the success to the relentless efforts of the country’s aviation department. “It is a momentous day to announce that the European Commission and EASA have lifted the suspension on PIA flights to Europe,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
In addition to PIA, the minister revealed that private Pakistani carrier Airblue has also received a third-country operator’s authorization, allowing it to operate in European airspace.
This achievement marks a significant step forward for Pakistan’s aviation industry, restoring confidence in its operational standards.
