The United Kingdom has officially lifted the ban on Pakistani airlines, enabling them to reapply for direct flight operations to the UK, according to a statement from the British High Commission.

The ban was originally imposed due to concerns over the alleged ‘fake degrees’ of Pakistani pilots — an issue highlighted during the PTI government’s tenure by the then aviation minister.

According to the UK High Commission statement, Pakistani airlines can now seek operational clearance from the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) to resume services.

The British High Commission clarified that the removal from the safety list was conducted through an independent and technical process.

British High Commissioner to Pakistan expressed gratitude for the collaboration between UK and Pakistani aviation experts and welcomed the development, stating, “I look forward to flying with a Pakistani airline.”

The High Commission further noted that improved air connectivity between the two countries will help reunite families and strengthen people-to-people ties.

It also underlined the importance of the economic relationship, highlighting that Pakistan is the UK’s third-largest trading partner in the region, with bilateral trade reaching £4.7 billion annually.

Noteably, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted its ban on PIA in November 2024. This paved the way for the airline’s potential return to United Kingdom skies.