UK Lifts Restrictions on Pakistani Airlines Following Safety Improvements

In a significant step forward for Pakistan’s aviation industry, the UK’s Air Safety Committee has removed restrictions on Pakistani air carriers after improvements in air safety were observed.

According to a statement by the British High Commission, individual airlines will still be required to seek permission from the UK Civil Aviation Authority to operate flights to the UK.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott stated, “I appreciate the cooperation between aviation experts in the UK and Pakistan, which led to enhancements aligning with international safety benchmarks.”

She added, “The resumption of flights will take time, but I am eager to utilize a Pakistani airline to visit family and friends once the required arrangements are finalized.”

The UK Air Safety List’s decisions regarding the removal of countries and air carriers are made using an independent aviation safety procedure.

The UK’s Air Safety Committee, which has worked closely with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority for a number of years, is in charge of overseeing this.

The committee determined that since its initial decision in 2021, the required safety improvements have been implemented. Consequently, it was decided to remove Pakistan and its air carriers from the list based on this separate and technically-driven procedure.

The announcement presents chances for families to reunite more easily, given that there are more than 1.6 million people of Pakistani descent living in the UK and thousands of British citizens in Pakistan, according to the statement.

With a bilateral trade volume of £4.7 billion, the UK is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner. Any relaxation of travel restrictions between the two nations will support the expansion of this vital trade partnership.