The European Union has opted to uphold its restrictions on Pakistani airlines, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), following recent evaluations that highlighted ongoing safety concerns. This decision was made after an exhaustive assessment by the EU Air Safety Committee, which underscored the possibility of future reviews.
During its latest meetings, the committee concluded that there were insufficient grounds to amend the current list of air carriers prohibited from operating within the EU. This decision is particularly relevant to air carriers certified by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA).
An on-site review conducted from November 27 to 30, 2023, critically examined the PCAA’s role in safety oversight and identified multiple areas of concern. These included deviations from established safety procedures and significant understaffing in the Flight Standards Directorate, despite the authority being staffed by technically skilled professionals.
In response to these findings, the PCAA presented a corrective action plan on May 6, 2024, detailing measures taken to address the noted deficiencies. This plan was discussed during a hearing with the EU safety committee in May.
The European Union Air Safety Committee concluded that continuous monitoring of the safety situation and developments in Pakistan is essential. It recommended the regular organization of technical meetings in Brussels before each EU Air Safety Committee session and consistent progress reporting from the PCAA.
The committee retained the possibility of inviting the PCAA to an additional hearing at future EU Air Safety Committee meetings as necessary. It also highlighted the need for the government’s continued support and the importance of ensuring leadership stability within the PCAA as a cornerstone for a well-functioning authority.
“In accordance with the common criteria set out in the regulation, the commission considers that at this time there are no grounds for amending the list of air carriers subject to an operating ban within the union with respect to air carriers certified in Pakistan,” the committee stated in its report.
The report added that EU member states should continue verifying the compliance of Pakistani-certified air carriers with international safety standards through prioritization of ramp inspections, pursuant to regulation EU 965/2012. It also noted that further action by the commission could become necessary if any relevant safety information reveals imminent safety risks due to non-compliance with the international standards.
Despite these developments, a spokesman for the PCAA declined to comment, pending an official EU statement. “Let us wait for an official statement from the EU as we have been waiting for that. These are relatively old things,” he said.