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Pakistan national airline wishes to resume Europe flights soon after regulator raises ban

Pakistan International Airline Companies (PIA) said on Sunday it anticipates to resume European paths quickly and is eyeing numerous UK locations after the EU aviation regulator lifted its bar on the flag provider.

The European Union Air Travel Security Agency (EASA) suspended PIA's authorisation to operate in the EU in June 2020 over concerns about the capability of Pakistani authorities and its Civil Air Travel Authority (PCAA) to ensure compliance with international aviation standards.

PIA plans to approach the UK's Department for Transport ( DfT) for UK path resumption, as EASA clearance is a. requirement for their choice, PIA representative Abdullah Hafeez. Khan informed Reuters.

EASA and UK authorities suspended authorization for PIA to. operate in the region after Pakistan began examining the. validity of pilots' licenses following a lethal plane crash that. eliminated 97 people.

Khan said the airline anticipates to resume flights to Europe,. starting with Paris, within the next 3 to 4 weeks.

Once PIA gets approval for UK flights, Khan stated London,. Manchester, and Birmingham would be the most popular. locations.

PIA and the federal government, which is intending to offer a 60% stake. in the provider, had urged EASA to lift the ban, even. provisionally. The restriction cost the airline 40 billion rupees ($ 144. million) annually in earnings.

Khan said the company has sufficient capital to include brand-new. paths. Decisions on leasing brand-new airplane will be made after the. government finalises privatisation discussions, he stated.

The loss-making nationwide carrier has a 23% stake in. Pakistan's domestic air travel market, however its 34-plane fleet. can't take on Middle Eastern providers which hold a 60%. market share, due to a lack of direct flights, regardless of having. contracts with 87 nations and key landing slots.

The federal government's effort to privatise the airline company fell flat. when it received only a single offer, well listed below its asking. rate.

With Europe now, and upcoming UK paths, we prepare for. increased income capacity and hence a rise in PIA's worth. during the privatisation process, Khan said.

(source: Reuters)