UK Civil Aviation delegation holds meetings with PIA officials in Karachi
A
team from the UK Civil Aviation Authority
(UK CAA) has reviewed the safety arrangements of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and
relevant departments of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as part of an
assessment of direct air services between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
The
UK delegation visited PIA headquarters in Karachi, where officials briefed the
team on the airline’s Safety Management System (SMS), operational procedures
and other measures relating to flight safety.
PIA
officials, led by Chief Executive Officer Amir Hayat, responded to questions
from the UK CAA delegation on various aspects of aircraft and flight safety,
particularly those concerning operations between Pakistan and the UK.
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According
to sources, the UK officials expressed satisfaction with PIA’s Safety
Management System and the measures adopted by the airline in line with
international aviation safety standards.
CAA
officials accompanied the British delegation during the visit. Following its
review at PIA headquarters, the team also examined relevant CAA departments
responsible for licensing, airworthiness and flight standards.
The
delegation also reviewed the CAA’s Safety Management System as part of its
broader assessment of Pakistan’s aviation safety framework.
The
UK team arrived in Karachi several days earlier and conducted a detailed review
of safety arrangements related to flights operating between Pakistan and the
UK.
The
review comes after significant developments in Pakistan-UK aviation relations.
On July 16, 2025, the UK lifted restrictions imposed on Pakistani airlines,
allowing them to seek approval to resume direct flights to the country.
PIA
had been barred from operating flights to the UK since June 2020, following the
crash of a PIA aircraft in Karachi that killed 97 people. The subsequent
investigation raised concerns over pilot error, air traffic control procedures
and the validity of some pilot licences, prompting Pakistan to undertake
reforms in its aviation safety system.
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The
UK Air Safety Committee later removed Pakistan from the relevant safety
restrictions following improvements in the country’s aviation oversight and
safety framework. PIA subsequently resumed flights to the UK, initially
restoring services to Manchester.
The
airline resumed direct flights to London on March 29, ending a nearly six-year
interruption of the long-standing route between Pakistan and the UK.
The
latest UK CAA review is part of continued engagement between the two countries'
aviation authorities and airlines over safety standards and operational
compliance.
Source:
Express Tribune