In a huge setback to Pakistan, right after European Union, United Nations and Vietnam, now even the United Kingdom has also suspended PIA flights operating between Pakistan and UK with immediate effect over dubious pilot license. While the UK Civil Aviation Authority has now suspended permission to PIA to fly from its airports, the European Union Air Safety Agency has already banned the entry of Pakistan International Airlines in Europe for six months following fake license issue.

 

According to a UK Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson, “Following the decision on 30 June 2020, by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to suspend permission for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to operate services to the European Union, PIA flights from Birmingham, London Heathrow and Manchester airports are suspended with immediate effect.”

 

 

 

 

Earlier, after European Union, United Nations Department for Safety & Security (UNDSS) had issued an official notification instructing to halt the use of Pakistan registered air operators for the travel of UN personnel after the fake pilot scandal.

 

The European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) has suspended Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to operate in Europe for a period of six months over dubious pilot license issue, effective July 1, 2020.

 

 

The move was taken after Pakistan itself announced that 262 of its pilots have “dubious” licenses. Pakistan Civil Aviation Minister had apparently announced recently of the grounding of 262 airline pilots suspected of having free licenses which led to the global concern.