• Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) delegation met EU, EASA officials in Brussels
• CAA briefed on measures to resume PIA flight operations to European countries
• EU officials have sought written evidence before making a decision

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is unlikely to resume flights in Europe and the United Kingdom after failing to convince European officials, BOL News reported.

A five-member delegation of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) met officials of the European Commission and European Aviation Safety Association (EASA) in Brussels. The European authorities had summoned the CAA to conduct a technical meeting.

According to reports, the visiting delegation briefed EU officials on licensing, access, and registration. They also briefed on measures to resume PIA flight operations to European countries. The officials were informed that CAA has conducted oversight of pilot licensing and registration measures for European countries.

Sources revealed that CAA failed to convince EU officials on allowing PIA to resume flight operations. The European Commission officials have asked for written evidence from the CAA. The delegation was informed that the final decision will be taken after the officials are satisfied with the step taken so far.

The European Commission and EASA will visit Pakistan next year in 2023 to review the measures being taken by the airline. The operations will be resumed if the EU Commission and EASA are satisfied.

The visit to Pakistan is a condition set for the PIA to resume their flights in European countries. Sources revealed that European countries will take more time in allowing PIA to resume flights to European.

According to reports, PIA has lost Rs150 billion due to a ban in European countries since July 2020. The national airline has even sublet its coveted slot at London Heathrow after it flight operations were suspended.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority suspended PIA flight operations over concerns that Pakistan is  not capable of certifying and overseeing airline operators. The decision came after the grounding of 262 Pakistani pilots due to dubious licenses.

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