A delegation from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is visiting Islamabad to conduct a comprehensive audit of Pakistan’s aviation oversight systems as the South Asian country seeks to resume direct flights to the United States. Pakistani Aviation
Direct flights between Pakistan and the U.S. were halted after concerns emerged regarding pilot licensing irregularities and deficiencies in regulatory oversight a few years ago. Pakistani Aviation
Since then, Pakistan has been working to regain the trust of international aviation regulators with a series of measures – stricter pilot licensing protocols, upgraded flight safety monitoring and compliance systems, aligned regulatory procedures with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards and improved transparency in testing and certification of flight crew. Pakistani Aviation
This summer European Union and the United Kingdom separately lifted the ban on PIA and other operators from flying to different European destinations. Pakistani Aviation
U.K. lifts ban on Pakistani airlines, opening the way for resumption of direct flights
According to Aviation A2Z website, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has confirmed that it had completed the necessary work ahead of the FAA’s visit. Pakistani Aviation
The inspection will evaluate a range of areas including flight standards, pilot licensing procedures, regulatory compliance, and the overall effectiveness of state safety oversight. Pakistani Aviation
A favorable outcome from the FAA audit could allow Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to resume direct flights to major U.S. airports, including New York (JFK), Washington D.C. (IAD), and Chicago (ORD), according to Aviation A2Z and Pakistan Aviation News.
The resumption of flights will hold tremendous commercial promise for the Pakistani airlines in terms of access to transatlantic market, much greater convenience for passengers as they no longer would have to travel via third-country transit routes.
The revival of the prized route will also facilitate Pakistani exports of fragile items like mangoes, which have a short shelf-life and need aerial commerce for profitable business.
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Kiran Asim is a writer who covers the U.S., Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East. Her reports and analyses look at the geostrategic issues and contemporary developments and their economic and political implications. She also writes about society and education.
