In much-awaited news for millions of Pakistanis at home and abroad, the United Kingdom has officially lifted its five-year ban on Pakistani airlines, including the national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), enabling the resumption of flights between the two countries.
The announcement marks a significant milestone after rigorous safety improvements and extensive bilateral engagement.
On July 16, the British High Commission in Islamabad confirmed that Pakistan was removed from the UK’s Air Safety List after a sustained, independent, and technically driven safety assessment. The ban was originally imposed in 2020 after a scandal revealed that nearly one-third of Pakistani pilots held fraudulent licenses, a crisis that followed a fatal PIA crash in Karachi which claimed 97 lives.
Jane Marriott, the UK High Commissioner to Pakistan, said: “I’m grateful to aviation experts in both the UK and Pakistan for their collaborative work to meet international safety standards. While it will take time for flights to resume, once the logistics are in place, I look forward to using a Pakistani carrier when visiting family and friends.”
The decision came after significant improvements led by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), which were also acknowledged earlier this year by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which lifted its own ban on Pakistani carriers.
PIA set resume key UK routes
PIA, which had suffered an estimated annual revenue loss of approximately PKR 40 billion ($144 million) due to the suspension, welcomed the development. The UK market, home to over 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage, is considered one of PIA’s most profitable routes.
Following the announcement, PIA stated it is preparing to resume flights “in the shortest possible time,” with plans initially focusing on three weekly Islamabad–Manchester flights pending regulatory approval. The airline has long considered UK routes, including London, Manchester, and Birmingham, among its most profitable.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the decision on X: “With over 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK and thousands of British nationals in Pakistan, today’s announcement brings long-awaited relief and new opportunities for families and friends to reunite. As Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, this ease in travel between the UK and Pakistan will help this vital trade relationship grow manifold.”
Good news for Pakistani and Pakistan’s Aviation Sector
The lifting of the ban arrives amid Pakistan’s broader efforts to privatize PIA, a historically state-run airline burdened by operational inefficiencies and financial challenges.
Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif remarked that restoring UK and European routes would enhance PIA’s market value ahead of privatization and could potentially lead to the resumption of flights to other long-haul destinations such as New York.
Private Pakistani airlines predominantly operate domestic and regional routes, especially to the Middle East. However, PIA has traditionally been the only airline servicing long-haul flights to Europe, making the ban’s removal pivotal for its international operations.
This development reflects Pakistan’s growing commitment to meeting international aviation safety standards, improving trust among global aviation authorities and investors.