The European Commission and European Aviation Safety Agency have lifted a four-year ban on Pakistan International Airlines flights to Europe, Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif said on Friday.

In 2020, the EASA banned the national flag carrier from operating flights to Europe following a fatal crash in May attributed to pilot error.

The ban was enacted after the then aviation minister, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, revealed in Parliament that many commercial pilots had either fake licences or had cheated on their exams.

It remains banned from operating in the United States.

Since the restrictions were implemented, the PIA incurred losses of more than Rs170 billion, according to media reports.

“It is a momentous day to announce that the European Commission and European Aviation Safety Agency have lifted the suspension on PIA flights to Europe,” he said in a post on X.

The decision comes after a year of the visit of a team of EASA and the European Commission to Pakistan. They reviewed measures taken by the PCAA regarding issues of pilot licences, airworthiness and flight safety.

In its review, the EU Air Safety Committee stressed the need for ongoing monitoring of the safety situation in Pakistan.

The committee indicated that it may invite the PCAA for further hearings at future meetings if necessary. It underscored the importance of sustained government support and leadership stability within the PCAA as essential for its effective functioning.

The EU urged member states to maintain rigorous checks on air carriers certified in Pakistan to ensure their compliance with international safety standards via prioritizing ramp inspections of carriers.

The committee warned that if any safety information indicates immediate risks due to non-compliance with international standards, the commission may be compelled to take further action in line with regulations.

The Third Country Operator authorisation was also issued to Airblue, the minister added.

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Asif, who also holds the defence portfolio, said the development was made possible due to the aviation ministry’s “complete focus” on strengthening the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and ensuring safety oversight in line with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

“Our government has taken significant measures to strengthen PCAA, including enactment of PCAA Act, smooth segregation of regulator and service providers, appointment of professional leadership and training to build the capacity,” he said.

“I am grateful to the European Commission and EASA for conducting a transparent process and our commitment to ensure aviation safety in Pakistan.”