The United Kingdom(UK) retains a ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), confirms the UK Department for Transport. The national carrier expects the lifting of the suspension imposed in 2020.
The decision by the UK Department for Transport has dashed the hopes for the imminent resumption of the PIA direct flights to and from the UK.
A department spokesperson said, “Airlines must go through a rigorous procedure to have restrictions lifted,” adding that the UK Civil Aviation Authority was in contact with Pakistani authorities regarding the issue.
The UK Air Safety List includes countries and airlines that are not permitted to operate commercial flights within the UK due to safety concerns.
Read more: PIA to resume UK flights after four-year ban
The official UK government website states, “All air carriers certified by the authorities with responsibility for regulatory oversight of Pakistan are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the United Kingdom.”
The news comes days after PIA had expressed hopes for the lifting of the ban. The British Air Safety Committee had discussed lifting the ban, which raised hopes.
The ban was imposed on PIA in 2020 by the UK and European aviation authorities after the scandal of fake licenses of PIA pilots emerged following the plane crash in Karachi.
After four years, the USA and Europe have lifted the ban on the airline, however, the ban by the UK persists.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to UK had earlier announced during an Iftar dinner in London attended by journalists and social media influencers regarding the lifting of the ban on PIA.
In the first phase, PIA was to reinstate flights from London and Manchester to Pakistan, with efforts underway to include Birmingham shortly. To commemorate the occasion, a special inauguration ceremony was to be held, with media representatives invited to cover the event.
However, PIA might have to wait a bit longer to resume its international flight operations in the UK.