The United Kingdom has officially lifted a five-year-long ban on Pakistani airlines, allowing them to apply for flight operations to British destinations once again.
This move follows a series of aviation safety reforms carried out by Pakistan in recent years.
The UK ban, first introduced in 2020, was triggered by the discovery that nearly one-third of Pakistani pilots had obtained licenses using fraudulent methods.
The scandal surfaced after a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crash in Karachi that claimed 97 lives in May 2020.
Following this, Pakistani authorities took steps to reform aviation safety, including licensing and oversight procedures.
Earlier this year, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency also allowed Pakistani carriers to resume direct flights to Europe.
Now, the UK has followed suit after what it described as close coordination with Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority and a careful review by its Air Safety Committee.
The decision applies to all Pakistani airlines, but PIA remains the only carrier with a history of long-haul flights to Britain.
Other Pakistani airlines mostly operate regional routes, especially to Gulf countries.
PIA had previously operated flights to London, Manchester, and Birmingham, routes that were among its most profitable.
The airline estimates the UK ban cost it roughly 40 billion rupees ($144 million) annually.
PIA has announced that it is working to restart operations, starting with three weekly flights between Islamabad and Manchester, pending final approvals.
The airline is also exploring the possibility of restoring routes to New York.
The news comes as the Pakistani government pushes ahead with efforts to privatize PIA.
Officials believe resuming UK and EU operations will help raise the airline’s market value.
PIA, a state-run carrier since 1955, currently employs around 7,000 people but has faced criticism for inefficiency and poor management.