London:
In a major development for Pakistani travellers, the United Kingdom has removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List, allowing Pakistani airlines to once again apply for flight operations to the UK.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the UK’s Air Safety Committee, which confirmed that Pakistani carriers are now eligible to seek permission to resume direct flights. However, each airline will still need to complete the necessary formalities and obtain operational permits from the UK Civil Aviation Authority before flights can begin.
Pakistan was placed on the Air Safety List in 2021 due to concerns over safety standards within its aviation sector. The removal of this restriction follows extensive technical cooperation between Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and British aviation safety experts, who assessed and verified that Pakistan had made the required safety improvements.
Officials believe the decision will significantly ease travel for more than 1.6 million people of Pakistani origin residing in the UK, along with thousands of British nationals living in or frequently visiting Pakistan. It is also expected to boost bilateral trade ties, with the UK currently ranking as Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner and annual trade standing at £4.7 billion.
The UK’s Air Safety Committee stressed that the decision was reached through an independent and technically driven review process.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, welcomed the development, stating:
“I am grateful to aviation experts in both countries for their hard work in upgrading safety standards to international levels. Although it may take some time before flights officially resume, I look forward to using a Pakistani airline when travelling to visit family and friends.”
This move is being hailed as a positive step for Pakistan’s aviation sector, which has faced international scrutiny in recent years. Industry experts say it marks the beginning of a gradual restoration of global confidence in the country’s carriers.
