Islamabad : Prime Minister , Shehbaz Sharif , has declared the end of the ban on Pakistani airlines in UK a victory for Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote in a post on social networking websites X, ‘Alhamdulillah! PIA has returned to UK, thanks to Allah Almighty that Pakistan has gained prominence based on truth with the resumption of flights of Pakistan’s national airline to UK.’ He wrote that unfortunately due to irresponsible and baseless statements of some PTI members, the national airline suffered irreparable damage at the global level, as a result of which important routes like UK and Europe were banned for years. The Prime Minister wrote that in view of the presence of more than 1.6 million Pakistanis in UK and thousands of British citizens in Pakistan, today’s announcement will pave the way for the reunion of families and friends, which has been awaited for years, and will bring great relief.
He said that the UK is Pakistan’s third largest trading partner and the ease of travel between the two countries will boost this important trade relationship manifold. The Prime Minister said that on this achievement, special congratulations to the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, aviation authorities and all the concerned institutions, whose tireless work and efforts led to the achievement of this milestone. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the efforts of the Defense Minister’s team for the lifting of the ban on Pakistani flights and congratulated Khawaja Asif. It may be recalled that in June 2020, the then former Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan had revealed in the National Assembly that a large number of commercial pilots had obtained ‘questionable licenses’. Following which, on July 1, 2020, the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) temporarily suspended the air operation permit of Pakistan International Airlines to European countries for 6 months. Later, on April 8, 2021, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency extended the travel ban on PIA indefinitely.
On September 15, 2024, the Civil Aviation Authority’s Board of Directors meeting in Karachi was informed about the important progress on the issue regarding the resumption of PIA flights to Europe and the UK. The board members were informed that the pilot license examination system has been completely changed and restored, which has improved the standards of flight safety. All commercial and chartered flights flying over the European Union are required to obtain TCO permission, which was implemented in 2016 and ensures that all aircraft operating in European countries comply with the safety standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). All commercial airlines submit information about their aircraft and their safety program to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency for review to obtain TCO permission.
It should be remembered that there are more than 1.6 million people of Pakistani origin living in the UK and thousands of British citizens in Pakistan, so the decision will be helpful in restoring family ties between the two countries.
The UK is Pakistan’s third largest trading partner and the total value of trade relations between the two countries is 4.7 billion pounds. This important trade relationship will be further strengthened by facilitating travel between the two countries.
It should be noted that the first flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) after the resumption of flights to Europe departed from Islamabad to Paris on January 10, 2025. The flight operation of the national airline (PIA) to Europe was resumed after 4 and a half years, 323 passengers arrived in Paris on flight number PK 749 from Islamabad. The flight from Islamabad to Paris took off after a long time at 12:10 pm, through which passengers were brought to Pakistan from the French capital.
Passengers expressed their happiness on reaching Europe directly from Pakistan after a long time, PIA has started one flight from Islamabad to Paris every Friday and Sunday. Before the departure of the flight, a special ceremony was held at Islamabad Airport, in this regard, the airport was specially decorated. The passengers going to Europe were bid farewell by Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif at the airport. A special reception was also given when the PIA flight landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, officials of the Pakistani embassy, French aviation officers welcomed the passengers and a cake cutting ceremony was also held at the airport. On the occasion of the departure of the flight from Islamabad,
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif had said that a statement by the former aviation minister had led to a ban on the national airline in Europe, which had caused a loss of billions of rupees. He had expressed his determination that PIA would start its flights throughout Europe in a phased manner and now flights to the United States will also be started after transiting from Europe. The Prime Minister also welcomed the departure of PIA’s first flight to Paris and expressed hope that this move would facilitate Pakistanis living abroad.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while congratulating the public on the resumption of PIA flights to Europe, said in his message that this move would enable Pakistanis living abroad to benefit from direct flights.
In December 2024, the European Union’s Air Safety Agency (EASA) lifted the ban on Pakistan International Airlines’ flight operations in Europe.
In a meeting with Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the resumption of Pakistani flights to the UK is a very important milestone for Pakistan.
In the past, due to irresponsible statements by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders, Pakistani flights were banned and the country’s reputation was damaged. The lifting of the ban will increase travel convenience for Pakistanis living in the UK, and tourism will also be boosted. It should be noted that the UK has lifted the ban on Pakistani airlines, which was also confirmed by the British High Commissioner. In her statement, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said, “I am grateful to the UK and Pakistani aviation experts who have worked together to improve the situation in line with international standards.
Although it will take time to restore flights, I look forward to flying with Pakistani airlines to meet my family and friends as soon as the administrative arrangements are completed.” British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said that Pakistan has been removed from the UK’s air safety list, and now all Pakistani airlines can apply for permission to fly to the UK. According to the British High Commissioner, the UK’s Air Safety Committee has lifted restrictions on Pakistani airlines after improvements in Pakistan’s air safety system, but each airline will have to obtain separate permits from the UK Civil Aviation Authority before starting flights to the UK. Jane Marriott said, “I am grateful to the UK and Pakistani aviation experts who have worked together to improve the air quality in line with international standards.
Although it will take time to restore flights, I look forward to flying with Pakistani airlines to visit my family and friends as soon as the administrative arrangements are completed.” She added that the decision to remove a country or airline from the UK’s air safety list is made through an independent and technical process,