Islamabad:
Great Britain has raised a five-year ban on Pakistani airlines, allowing them to apply to resume British flights when the government intensifies efforts to privatize Pakistani international airlines.
The ban was imposed in 2020, a few days after the government launched an investigation into the validity of the pilot licenses issued in the country following a PIA plane crash that killed 97 people.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said the lifting of the prohibition followed the improvement in security by the Pakistani authorities. The decision comes only a few months after the European Union has taken similar measures.
“I am grateful to aviation experts in the United Kingdom and Pakistan for their collaborative work to stimulate improvements to meet international security standards. Although it takes time for the flights to resume, once the logistics in place, I can’t wait to use a Pakistani transporter during family and friends visit,” she said.
The lifting of the ban should bring an immense relief and an opportunity to the more than 1.6 million British residents of Pakistani heritage and thousands of British nationals living in Pakistan.
It is also a potential catalyst for improving bilateral trade of 4.7 billion pounds sterling between the two countries.
The airspace is now cleared, the sky is again open to stronger ties of people and people and economic cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
While several private Pakistani airlines operate at national level and on regional roads, mainly towards the Middle East, the PIA has always been the only carrier to operate long-haul flights to Great Britain and the European Union.
PIA had previously estimated an annual loss of income of approximately 40 billion rupees ($ 144 million) due to the ban. The airline has long examined the British roads, notably London, Manchester and Birmingham, among its most profitable, and holds landing slots wanted at London Heathrow Airport which could become active again.
PIA spokesperson said the airline was finalizing preparations to resume British flights “as soon as possible” and submitted its proposed program.
The flights will resume with the itinerary of Islamabad-Manchester, with three weekly flights initially planned for the approval of the pending calendar, added the spokesperson.
Earlier this month, the privatization committee approved four groups to tender for a participation of 51 to 100% in PIA. The final offers are expected later this year. The government hopes that the recent reforms, which led to the first operating profit of the airline in 21 years – will help attract buyers as part of a privatization thrust supported by the IMF.
Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on a press conference on Wednesday that the resumption of all routes would improve the value of the PIA before privatization. He also said it was planned to restart flights to New York.
“Pakistan will request an operating license to resume direct flights to the United Kingdom,” he said.
The Asif criticized an irresponsible statement by the minister of the time, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, of the Pakistani government Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI) for having triggered the ban on PIA operations in European countries and the United Kingdom.
Ghulam Sarwar’s remarks have caused irreparable damage to the reputation of PIA and Pakistan, he added.
In response to a question, he said that various consortia had expressed their interest in the PIA privatization process.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, hosting the decision of the UK Air Safety Board, said that “positive development” would improve the international reputation of Pakistan and further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
The Prime Minister also congratulated the Minister of Defense for the lifting of the ban.
During a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s office, Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated the efforts of the Minister of Defense and his team, as well as the aviation division, for their devoted work in the realization of this diplomatic and operational breakthrough.
“The resumption of Pakistani flights to the United Kingdom marks an extremely important achievement for the country,” said the Prime Minister, noting that this stage would considerably facilitate travel for the Great Pakistani diaspora in the United Kingdom and stimulate tourism between the two countries.
(With an additional contribution from agencies)
