London, March 24, 2025 — The United Kingdom’s Department for Transport announced Tuesday that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will remain on the UK Air Safety List, prolonging the prohibition on the airline’s commercial flights to and from British territory.
A department spokesperson emphasized that the UK Civil Aviation Authority continues to collaborate with Pakistani counterparts. However, lifting the restrictions requires a meticulous evaluation process. “Airlines must meet rigorous safety benchmarks before any reinstatement is considered,” the official explained.
The UK Air Safety List targets carriers and nations failing to align with global aviation safety standards, barring them from operating in British airspace. Currently, all Pakistan-certified airlines are excluded from conducting commercial activities in the UK.
This decision follows speculation in recent media reports suggesting a potential reversal of the ban. A British Air Safety Committee meeting had sparked optimism about PIA’s possible return, yet the latest statement dashes those expectations for the time being.
The initial suspension of PIA’s UK operations dates back to July 2020, triggered by a major scandal involving falsified pilot credentials. Former Pakistani Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan disclosed that numerous pilots, including those at PIA, held questionable licenses. The revelation followed the tragic Karachi crash of a PIA Airbus A320, which resulted in nearly 100 fatalities.
Consequently, aviation authorities in the UK, European Union, and United States acted swiftly, halting PIA’s flights due to significant doubts about Pakistan’s aviation safety and oversight mechanisms.
The prolonged restriction has taken a toll on PIA, slashing its international presence and costing an estimated Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually from lost Western routes.
Signs of recovery emerged in January 2025, when PIA relaunched direct flights from Islamabad to Paris, marking its reentry into European skies and fueling hopes for broader reinstatement.
Pakistani officials remain committed to ongoing discussions and safety enhancements, aiming to restore PIA’s standing in international aviation circles. For now, the UK ban persists, underscoring the stringent standards governing global air travel safety.
