ISLAMABAD: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has decided to continue its suspension of Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) authorization to fly to the bloc, Pakistani media reported on Friday, in what is being described as a ‘blow’ to the carrier’s operations.
The suspension in June followed Pakistan’s grounding of 262 of the country’s 860 pilots, including 141 of PIA’s 434, whose licenses the country’s aviation minister had termed “dubious”.
The grounding of the pilots followed a preliminary report on a PIA crash in Karachi that killed 97 people in May.
“On 16 November 2020, your organization provided the agency with a comprehensive set of documents as evidence to support the Implementation of the agreed Corrective Action Plan [CAP] for the remaining open level 1 finding related to identifying issues in your Safety Management System,” a letter from EASA, quoted by Pakistan’s Geo News channel, said.
“The Agency reviewed the submitted material and found it satisfactory and sufficient as a first important step toward the closure of the above-mentioned finding,” it added.
However, the agency said the investigation conducted by the European Commission on the issuance of professional licenses was still ongoing, and the audit might not have positive results.
“We propose to contact you for a next update of the situation as soon as the concerns regarding the issuance of professional licenses is investigated in full and satisfactorily resolved,” the letter said. “In the meantime, the Agency will closely monitor the situation and further developments.”
EU safety agency retains ban on Pakistan International Airlines
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EU safety agency retains ban on Pakistan International Airlines
- Suspension in June followed Pakistan’s grounding of 262 of the country’s 860 pilots, including 141 of PIA’s 434, over “dubious” licenses
- Pakistan’s grounding of the pilots followed a preliminary report on a PIA crash in Karachi that killed 97 people in May
Pakistan, Azerbaijan call for de-escalation in the region amid widening Iran conflict
- PM Sharif condemns drone strike on the Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan targeting civilians
- He tells President Ilham Aliyev Pakistan stands in full solidarity with Azerbaijan and its people
PESHAWAR: Pakistan and Azerbaijan called for de-escalation in the region on Friday amid intensifying attacks on Iran by Israel and the United States, a day after drone strikes targeted civilians in Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave.
The appeal came during a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, according to an official statement, as tensions across the Middle East and the Gulf region continue to rise.
The call followed drone attacks on Thursday that wounded four people in Nakhchivan, an Azerbaijani exclave bordering Iran.
Baku accused Tehran of launching the drones and threatened retaliation, while Iran denied the allegation and blamed Israel — a close ally of Azerbaijan — for attempting to stage a provocation.
“During their conversation, the Prime Minister condemned, in the strongest terms, the drone attacks on Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan yesterday that targeted innocent civilians,” said the statement released by Sharif office after the conversation. “He assured the Azerbaijani leadership that Pakistan stands in complete solidarity and support with the brotherly people of Azerbaijan at this difficult time.”
“The two leaders stressed on the need for de-escalation and restoration of peace in the region,” it added.
Sharif also briefed Aliyev on Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach following the crisis in Iran and the Gulf region.
Aliyev thanked the Pakistani leader for the call and appreciated the expression of solidarity from Pakistan, according to the statement.
Pakistan and Azerbaijan maintain close political and defense ties, with Islamabad also offering Azerbaijan and other Central Asian states connectivity to its southern ports to facilitate trade.
Pakistan has also repeatedly urged all sides involved in the escalating Iran confrontation to avoid further escalation and resolve disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
