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KARACHI: The European Union (EU) has refused to lift the ban on Pakistani International Airlines (PIA), elaborating that no grounds were found for amending the current list of air carriers banned from operating within the Union, including Pakistani airlines.
This decision comes after a comprehensive review meeting of the EU Air Safety Committee, which involved an on-site evaluation of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and sample assessments of Pakistani air carriers Fly Jinnah and Airblue Ltd.
The on-site assessment, conducted between November 27 and 30, 2023, focused on the PCAA’s role and responsibility in safety oversight.
Although the PCAA demonstrated adherence to international safety standards and was staffed by technically skilled professionals.
However, the on-site assessment team identified several shortcomings, including insufficient scrutiny in closing findings based on proposed corrective actions rather than actual evidence, deviations from established procedures, and severe understaffing in the Flight Standards Directorate.
Despite these issues, no major safety concerns were identified in the airworthiness or personnel licensing and training organizations, which were found to be appropriately staffed.
Fly Jinnah, one of the air carriers assessed, was noted for needing improvement in record keeping and management of findings.
