The United Kingdom has officially removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List, allowing Pakistani airlines to apply for flight operations to the UK.
The decision follows significant safety improvements by Pakistan’s aviation sector, confirmed by the UK’s Air Safety Committee.
While Pakistani airlines can now apply for operating permits through the UK Civil Aviation Authority, each carrier must meet individual requirements before launching flights.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, welcomed the development, saying, “I’m grateful to aviation experts in the UK and Pakistan for their collaborative work to drive improvements to meet international safety standards.
While it will take time for flights to resume, once the logistics are in place, I look forward to using a Pakistani carrier when visiting family and friends.”
Pakistan had been on the UK’s Air Safety List since 2021 due to safety concerns.
The Committee’s decision to delist Pakistan was based on a thorough and independent technical review conducted in coordination with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority.
With over 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage in the UK and thousands of British nationals in Pakistan, the move is expected to strengthen personal and commercial ties.
The UK is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade worth £4.7 billion.
