Islamabad: The United Kingdom has lifted the long-standing travel ban on Pakistani airlines, removing Pakistan from its Air Safety List and paving the way for the resumption of flight operations.
British High Commissioner, Jane Marriott, confirmed the decision, calling it a significant milestone in restoring air relations between Pakistan and the UK. According to the British High Commission’s statement, Pakistani airlines can now restart their flights to the UK after obtaining approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The decision follows an independent and technical review overseen by the British Air Safety Committee.
The move comes in the wake of reforms made by Pakistan in its aviation safety system, which have been commended for aligning with international standards. Jane Marriott added that while full restoration of flights may take some time, she herself looks forward to flying on a Pakistani airline soon.
Additionally, the British High Commission pointed out that the UK is Pakistan’s third-largest trade partner, with annual trade exceeding £4.7 billion. The resumption of air travel is expected to further boost trade, tourism, and family connections between the two countries.
It’s worth noting that in 2020, following a scandal involving fake pilot licenses, the UK and the European Union had imposed restrictions on Pakistani airlines. However, after serious reforms by the Pakistani government, the EU lifted its ban in 2023, and now, the UK has followed suit with this positive decision.
