The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its decision to maintain the ban on PIA Pakistani air carrier, including other air carriers, following a detailed review by the EU Air Safety Committee. The decision, reported by ARY News, highlights continued safety concerns despite some improvements in Pakistan’s aviation oversight.
After a recent meeting, the EU found no compelling reasons to revise its list of prohibited air carriers operating within the Union, which still includes PIA Pakistani air carrier. This conclusion was reached following an extensive assessment conducted by the EU Air Safety Committee, which included an on-site evaluation of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and sample assessments of Pakistani carriers Fly Jinnah and Airblue Ltd.
The on-site evaluation took place between November 27 and 30, 2023, focusing on the PCAA’s oversight role in ensuring safety. The assessment acknowledged the PCAA’s commitment to international safety standards and the presence of technically proficient personnel. However, it also highlighted several deficiencies, such as inadequate scrutiny in closing findings based solely on proposed corrective actions rather than concrete evidence, deviations from established procedures, and significant understaffing within the Flight Standards Directorate.
Despite these shortcomings, the assessment did not reveal major safety concerns regarding airworthiness or personnel licensing and training organizations, which were deemed adequately staffed. Fly Jinnah, one of the assessed carriers, was noted for needing improvement in record-keeping and management of findings.
In response to the assessment findings, the PCAA presented a comprehensive Corrective Action Plan (CAP) on May 6, 2024. During a subsequent hearing before the EU Air Safety Committee on May 14, 2024, the PCAA outlined the measures taken to address the identified issues. These measures included increasing the number of qualified inspectors in the Flight Standards Directorate from one to nineteen, establishing Quality Control sections in each department, and creating a central Quality Assurance department.
Fly Jinnah also outlined operational enhancements and efforts to rectify flaws in its quality management system, including the utilization of software tools and outsourcing certain activities to Air Arabia.
The EU Air Safety Committee emphasized the necessity of continuous monitoring of Pakistan’s safety situation, outlining plans for regular technical meetings in Brussels and periodic progress reports from the PCAA to ensure ongoing oversight. Additionally, the Committee stressed the importance of sustained support from the Pakistani government and stability in leadership within the PCAA.
As a result, the EU will maintain the ban on Pakistani air carriers and urges Member States to conduct ramp inspections to verify compliance. The Commission warned that any indication of imminent safety risks could prompt further action, underscoring the paramount importance of upholding international safety standards.