ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom (UK) has lifted its longstanding ban on Pakistani airlines, paving the way for them to resume flight operations to Britain.

According to a statement from the British High Commission, Pakistani airlines are now eligible to apply for flight permissions to the UK. However, they must obtain operational clearance from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) before commencing services.

The High Commission clarified that the removal of Pakistani carriers from the safety list was carried out through an independent and technical assessment process.

The move marks a significant milestone for Pakistan’s aviation sector, which had faced restrictions following safety concerns raised in previous years.

British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott said “I am looking forward to traveling from a Pakistani airline, helping to improve families with air relations with Pakistan”.

It is to be remembered that after the PIA plane crash in Karachi in May 2020, the then aviation minister told Parliament that one -third of our country’s commercial pilots had bogus degrees, after which Pakistani flights to the UK and Europe were banned in June 2020.

Following sustained efforts by the Pakistani government, the United Kingdom has now lifted its ban on Pakistani airlines, months after the European Union removed similar restrictions in November last year.