The UK has officially taken Pakistan off its Air Safety List, paving the way for Pakistani airlines to apply to operate flights to the United Kingdom once again.
This decision follows significant air safety improvements acknowledged by the UK’s Air Safety Committee. Although individual Pakistani airlines will still need to secure operational permits from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, today’s move marks an important milestone.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE welcomed the development, saying:
“I appreciate the hard work of aviation experts in both the UK and Pakistan who have collaborated to raise safety standards to international levels.
It may take some time for flights to fully resume, but once they do, I look forward to flying on a Pakistani carrier to visit family and friends.”
The decision to delist Pakistan and its airlines was made through an independent, rigorous process overseen by the UK Air Safety Committee, which has been working closely with Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority since the initial restrictions were imposed in 2021.
The committee concluded that Pakistan had successfully addressed the safety concerns that led to its earlier listing.
With more than 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK and thousands of British nationals residing in Pakistan, this move is expected to ease travel and strengthen personal ties.
Additionally, as the UK stands as Pakistan’s third largest trading partner with bilateral trade valued at £4.7 billion, improved travel links are likely to further boost economic relations between the two nations.
