The United Kingdom’s Air Safety Committee is ready to hold a crucial meeting on Thursday, March 20, to review the five-year ban on Pakistan International Airlines (Pia) and other Pakistani carriers.

According to sources, the committee will assess the case of Pakistani Airlines, which has been prevented from operating in the UK and Europe since July 2020. The restrictions were introduced following the false pilot licensing scandal that raised serious concerns about aviation safety standards in Pakistan.

Officials of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) expressed optimism with regard to a positive result from the meeting. “With the recent resumption of flights to Europe, we hope that the United Kingdom will also approve the restoration of Pakistani Airlines,” says a CAA official.

The prohibition was enforced after European and British regulators suspended PIA’s operations with reference to concern over the license and certification of pilots. The decision had significantly affected Pakistan’s aviation sector, which limited direct flights to the UK and Europe.

If the committee manages in favor of lifting the ban, Pakistani Airlines could soon be allowed to resume operations at British airports, marking a significant breakthrough for the country’s aviation industry.