Islamabad:
Despite the termination of the UK Department for Transport (DFT) limits on Pakistani Airlines more than a month ago, direct flights between Pakistan and the UK have not yet resumed, with officials who are unable to give a final date.
According to sources, the biggest obstacle in the lack of ensuring the mandatory third -country operator (TCO) license, without which direct operations to the United Kingdom cannot begin. The responsibility for getting the license has become a point of contention, with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and private airlines that change each other.
The issuance of TCO is the responsibility of the carriers, not CAA, said insiders by the aviation regulator. However, carrier officials claim that permission is granted at the land level and therefore falls under CAA’s purpose.
The CAA spokesman clarified that the mandate of the authority was limited to facilitating the removal of restrictions already obtained.
“At present, Pakistani Airlines has not formally received the TCO approval from the United Kingdom,” Pia spokesman said, adding that a flight plan was immediately issued when an approval was granted.
Private airlines also confirmed that they were waiting for the TCO approval and noticing that they had completed their planning.
Previously, dates on August 14, August 16, and the first week of September was floated to resume flights, but no one was realized.
