A seven-member team from the UK’s Department for Transport is set to arrive in Islamabad tonight to assess Pakistan’s aviation standards. This visit is expected to pave the way for the restoration of flights by Pakistani airlines to the UK.
Starting Monday, the team will begin an audit of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), focusing on various areas such as licensing, airworthiness, flight standards, and other critical aspects of aviation operations.
“We are ready to brief the British officials,” said Nadir Shafi Dar, Director General of PCAA, who will head the local team during the audit. The audit will run from January 27 to February 6, 2025.
A successful audit could lead to the lifting of the 2020 restrictions on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and all other Pakistani carriers, potentially allowing them to resume flights to the UK.
In preparation for the audit, Pakistani civil aviation officials have made comprehensive arrangements, including instructing staff to work on Saturday, a holiday, to ensure the audit progresses smoothly.
Pakistan has been eager to regain access to one of its major international markets, which was disrupted in 2020 when UK authorities grounded PIA flights due to safety concerns. The outcome of this audit will have a significant impact on Pakistan’s aviation industry and its relationship with global regulators.
