PIA issues UK flight schedule, as ban lifted on Pakistani airlines
Celina Ali
Islamabad: In a major breakthrough for Pakistan’s aviation sector, the United Kingdom this week officially removed Pakistan from its air safety list, paving the way for Pakistani airlines to resume operations in British airspace after a five-year ban.
The development has sparked a wave of relief and optimism among aviation authorities, passengers, and Pakistani communities abroad.
The announcement was made by the British High Commission in Islamabad, where High Commissioner Jane Marriott praised the collaborative efforts of aviation experts from both countries. “I look forward to traveling with Pakistani airlines,” she said.
Following the UK’s decision, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has swiftly initiated preparations to resume direct flights to the UK. In the first phase, PIA will operate three weekly flights to Manchester using Boeing 777 aircraft.
In the second phase, the airline plans to restore flight operations from Islamabad and Lahore to London and Birmingham, subject to schedule approval and clearance from the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
The ban was originally imposed in 2020 after former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan claimed in parliament that a significant number of Pakistani pilots held fake licenses. The statement led to an international backlash, causing both the UK and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to suspend Pakistani airline operations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif celebrated the lifting of the ban in a post on social media platform X, stating: “Alhamdulillah! PIA returns to UK skies. The reckless and irresponsible statements made by PTI members caused irreparable reputational damage to Pakistan… Today’s announcement brings long-awaited relief and new opportunities for families and friends to reunite.”
The PM also extended gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, the aviation team, and other stakeholders for their efforts in securing the UK’s trust.
The UK route has historically been one of the most lucrative for PIA, contributing up to 37% of its annual revenue, amounting to approximately Rs2 billion. Pakistan is the the UK’s third-largest trading partner; the . annual trade volume of the two countries is 4.7 billion pounds.
With over 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK, the resumption of flights is expected to significantly improve family reunification and business mobility.
According to the British High Commission, the decision to remove Pakistan from the air safety list was made through an independent technical assessment, reflecting Pakistan’s improved safety standards and regulatory compliance.
