ISLAMABAD/ LONDON: The United Kingdom has officially removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List, allowing Pakistani airlines to apply for permission to resume flights to the UK, the British High Commission announced on Wednesday.
This major development comes after years of restrictions on Pakistani carriers, which were imposed following serious concerns over aviation safety, particularly after the 2020 pilot license scandal. The UK’s Air Safety Committee has now confirmed that significant safety improvements have been made.
British authorities said that Pakistani airlines can now apply to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for operational permits. While it will take some time before flights resume, the process is now open.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, thanked aviation experts from both countries for their cooperation.
“I’m grateful to aviation experts in the UK and Pakistan for their collaborative work to meet international safety standards. I look forward to flying with a Pakistani carrier when visiting family and friends,” she said.
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The UK government emphasized that the decision to remove Pakistan from the list was made through an independent, technical process. The UK’s Air Safety Committee worked closely with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority over the past several years and concluded that necessary reforms have been made since 2021.
With over 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK and thousands of British nationals residing in Pakistan, officials say this step will help families reconnect more easily. It will also support trade between the two countries.
The UK is Pakistan’s third-largest trade partner, with annual bilateral trade valued at £4.7 billion. Increased flight connectivity is expected to benefit business and economic ties as well.
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