UK Lifts Five-Year Ban on Pakistani Airlines, Opening Skies Once Again
After five long years, the skies between Pakistan and the United Kingdom are set to reopen. Britain has officially lifted its ban on Pakistani airlines, a move that not only restores a crucial international route but also signals renewed confidence in Pakistan’s aviation safety standards.
This significant development came after the UK Air Safety Committee reviewed recent improvements in Pakistan’s aviation oversight. According to the British High Commission in Islamabad, the decision was made through an independent, technically driven process — one that had also recently convinced the European Union to lift its own four-year ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
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It’s a major step forward, especially for Pakistan’s beleaguered national carrier, PIA, which has been on the path to privatization. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the UK’s decision as a milestone — not just for the airline, but for the millions of Pakistanis who travel back and forth between the two nations. It’s also a relief for the sizable Pakistani community in Britain, many of whom had long relied on direct PIA flights to cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif pointed to past mismanagement, blaming the original ban on irresponsible statements made by a former aviation minister. He labeled it a national blunder that cost PIA both its reputation and billions in potential revenue. The 2020 crash in Karachi, which tragically killed 97 people, exposed severe flaws — including a scandal involving fake pilot licenses — leading to global scrutiny and the eventual bans. But after rigorous internal reforms and renewed safety audits, Pakistan appears to be regaining trust on the global stage.
PIA, once a pioneer in aviation during its peak in the mid-20th century, is now trying to restore its image and financial health. The airline is hoping that this fresh opportunity, combined with its strategic landing slots at London Heathrow, will make it more attractive to private investors. As Pakistan prepares to accept final bids for PIA’s partial or full ownership later this year, the timing of this decision couldn’t be more critical.
Ultimately, the lifting of the UK ban doesn’t just reopen a flight path — it reopens hope for a stronger, safer and more competitive future for Pakistan’s aviation sector.
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