ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will remain on the United Kingdom’s air safety list, as confirmed by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) on Tuesday.
A department spokesperson said that the UK Civil Aviation Authority was in contact with Pakistani authorities regarding the issue.
“Airlines must go through a rigorous procedure to have restrictions lifted,” a spokesperson said.
The UK Air Safety List includes countries and airlines that are not permitted to operate commercial flights within the UK due to safety concerns.
As per the official UK government website, “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.”
This update comes just days after reports suggested that the British Air Safety Committee had discussed lifting the ban, which had raised hopes among Pakistani authorities.
However, Pakistani government sources said that the UK air safety authority has delayed its decision about lifting the restrictions on PIA. Initially, the decision was expected on March 20, following an audit. This was then pushed to March 25, but it has now been delayed again.
Government insiders explained that the delay is connected to a recent incident involving a PIA plane, where a tire detached during the flight.
