DALLAS — The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has lifted its four-year ban on Pakistan International Airlines (PK), effective November 29, 2024. Initially imposed in June 2020 due to safety and regulatory concerns, the ban was revoked after PK demonstrated compliance with international safety standards.

EASA’s 2020 ban was prompted by safety concerns linked to a licensing scandal within Pakistan’s aviation sector, revealed after a fatal PK crash in Karachi. An investigation uncovered numerous fake or unverified pilot licenses, leading to global scrutiny.

The final crash report, released in early 2024, attributed the incident to human error and systemic communication failures between pilots and air traffic control.

Compliance, Oversight

PIA’s reinstatement in EU airspace follows efforts made to meet safety requirements outlined in Annex I (Part-TCO) of Commission Regulation No. 452/2014. While PK is now allowed to operate in the EU, it will remain under "Intensified Surveillance" until the end of 2025, according to a letter from EASA.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and PK’s CEO Amir Hayat commended the extensive efforts by the airline and the Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) in achieving this milestone. PK plans to restore its European routes, including major cities like London, Paris, and Barcelona and aims to address restrictions on flights to the UK, which remain under review by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

PIA currently operates a fleet of 32 aircraft, including Airbus A320s, Boeing 777s, and ATR turboprops. While lifting the EU ban marks a significant milestone, the airline faces ongoing challenges, including intensified regulatory oversight and implementing privatization reforms.

PIA Privatization Plans

In August 2023, the Pakistani government announced its decision to privatize the loss-making PK by 2025. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), chaired by the Finance Minister, unveiled a new framework to restructure the airline. This includes transferring its massive debt— standing at Rs742 billion (US$2.6 billion) as of 2023—to a new holding firm before selling shares in the national carrier.

The first phase of privatization will involve creating a subsidiary company to handle debt restructuring, followed by a complete overhaul of operations and the eventual sale of the airline. The move is critical for PK’s survival, with Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique warning that the airline could face losses of up to Rs259 billion (US$1 billion) by 2030 without privatization. 

Rising fuel costs and unpaid debts have led to grounded operations and financial strain for Pakistan's government-owned flag carrier, so the ban lift is a breath of fresh air. The airline is set to resume flight to Europe in 10 days, with some reports stating the first routes will be Manchester and Paris.