Efforts to resume Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to the United Kingdom are progressing, with Pakistani authorities awaiting a formal response from British aviation officials. The development was confirmed by Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Nadir Shafi Dar, who stated that the matter is still under review by the UK.
The DG CAA mentioned that British inspectors recently assessed Pakistan’s aviation systems, and the results are now under consideration. He expressed optimism that a favourable decision could be announced soon and noted that Pakistan has issued several reminders to UK authorities to expedite the process.
Read More: What is the current status of PIA flights to the UK?
PIA flights to the UK and other European destinations were suspended in 2020 following a scandal involving pilots’ licenses. The controversy erupted after then-aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan revealed that a number of Pakistani pilots were operating aircraft with questionable or fake licenses. The disclosure came after a tragic crash of a PIA Airbus A320 in Karachi that resulted in nearly 100 fatalities.
As a result, aviation regulators in the UK, European Union, and United States imposed bans on PIA, citing safety concerns. While some European routes were reinstated in late 2023—such as flights to Paris—the UK has yet to lift its suspension.
The resumption of PIA’s UK operations is seen as a key milestone in restoring the airline’s global credibility and improving its financial outlook amid ongoing reforms in Pakistan’s aviation sector.