A seven-member team from the UK’s Department for Transport is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan today to conduct an audit of the country’s aviation standards, as part of efforts to restore Pakistani Airlines’ flights to the UK, Express News reported.
From Monday, the team will begin auditing the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), covering several areas including licensing, airworthiness, flight standards and other crucial aspects of aviation operations.
“We are ready to brief the British officials,” said Nadir Shafi Dar, director general of the PCAA, who will lead the local team during the review. The audit runs from 27 January to 6 February 2025.
A successful review could lead to the lifting of restrictions imposed in 2020 on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and all other Pakistani carriers, potentially allowing them to resume services to the UK.
In preparation for the review, Pakistan’s civil aviation officials have made elaborate arrangements. Staff have been asked to report to work on Saturday, even though it is a holiday, to ensure the audit continues smoothly.
Pakistan has been keen to restore access to one of its most important international markets, which was cut off following the grounding of PIA flights by British authorities over security concerns in 2020. The outcome of this review could significantly affect Pakistan’s aviation industry and its relationship with global regulators.
