Pakistan International Airlines to Resume Services to Europe.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will restart flights to Europe after a four-year ban caused by a 2020 crash that killed nearly 100 people. The airline aims to rebuild its finances and offer passengers direct travel options once again.

Why was PIA banned?

A devastating crash in Karachi, Pakistan, in 2020 killed 97 people and triggered an investigation into the airline. On May 22, 2020, PIA Flight 8303 attempted to land at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi after a flight from Lahore. A technical fault prevented the landing gear from extending, forcing a belly landing. Pilot error during the landing severely damaged the aircraft, causing both engines to fail. The plane then crashed into Model Colony, a densely populated area near the runway. Of the 91 passengers and eight crew members on board, 97 died, while two passengers survived with injuries. Eight people in the residential area were also injured, and one later died.

As a result, PIA grounded 150 of their 434 pilots on suspicion of holding “bogus or suspicious licenses”. In June 2020, the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) sent a letter to PIA, inquiring about their safety regulations and requesting they complete tests to continue services in Europe. However, the airliner failed multiple safety tests and was unable to implement a proper safety management system. Therefore, PIA were banned from flying into the European Union, as well as the UK. They were also banned from flying to the USA in July 2020.

How will the ban lift help PIA?

Pakistan International has been struggling for some time now. This is since the government sold their stake in the company. Following this, PIA are currently looking to be privatised. The airliner only got a 23% stake in the domestic market, and their fleet of 34 aircraft can’t compete with Middle Eastern carriers, who hold around 60% of the domestic market. Additionally, although PIA holds agreements with 87 countries and are in possession of several key landing spots, including London Heathrow, they have still been losing tens of millions of pounds each year since the suspension was announced. Therefore, the lifting of the suspension is expected to bring more revenue back to PIA. It will also be a relief for passengers wishing to travel directly to Pakistan.

What are your thoughts on the ban on PIA services to Europe being lifted?