WHILE the European Union has yet to issue a formal statement in this regard, it seems that Pakistan has remained unable to satisfy the EU Air Safety Committee regarding the latter’s concerns pertaining to airline safety measures. As a consequence, local airlines will remain restricted from flying to the region. It may be recalled that, in March, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority had expressed the hope that PIA would soon be able to resume flights to the UK once the EU Air Safety Committee completed its review in May. The CAA had been confident that it would pass the scrutiny and that the airline would be allowed to resume flights to Europe, which have remained suspended for four years since the PTI aviation minister, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, made a shocking statement about airline pilots possessing ‘dubious’ licences. The former minister’s remarks had drawn condemnation, but while he was roundly criticised for ‘exaggerating’ the figures and ‘misrepresenting’ the reality of the situation, successive governments since then have remained unable to convince the EU authorities otherwise.

It is, more than anything, the loss of Pakistani travellers that they remain unable to avail the facility of flying directly to Europe on a local airline. The connecting flights they are right now forced to take due to the ban result in an additional burden in terms of the extra money and time they have to expend in order to make it to their destinations. It is the CAA’s responsibility to allay the concerns that have been raised regarding its staffing issues and adherence to safety protocols. And while it appears that it is making a sincere effort to meet expectations, it is falling short. The government must take measures to provide it with the necessary resources to ensure that the Pakistani aviation sector is operating in compliance with European safety standards. PIA has been anxious to take off: for example, the CEO of the national flag carrier had been hopeful of resuming biweekly flights to Paris in June or July. However, because the CAA seemingly fell slightly short, those plans will now have to wait. The Authority is more than capable: it is staffed with able professionals who know what they must do. It just needs to make a final, concerted push and clear the finishing line.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2024