In a significant boost for Pakistan’s aviation sector, the United Kingdom’s Air Safety Committee has officially lifted its restrictions on Pakistani airlines, following substantial improvements in air safety standards.

The British High Commission announced the decision, noting that while individual Pakistani carriers must still apply for operating permits through the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the path is now clear for the resumption of direct flights between the two countries.

“I’m grateful to aviation experts in the UK and Pakistan for their collaborative work to drive improvements to meet international safety standards,” said Jane Marriott, British High Commissioner to Pakistan. “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.”

The UK’s Air Safety Committee, which has worked closely with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority over several years, determined that the necessary safety improvements have been made since the original ban in 2021. The decision to remove Pakistan and its airlines from the UK Air Safety List was made through an independent, technically-driven process.

The move is expected to make travel easier for the more than 1.6 million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK, as well as thousands of British nationals residing in Pakistan. The British High Commission highlighted that the UK is Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade worth £4.7 billion, and that improved air connectivity will further strengthen economic and family ties.

The ban was initially imposed after European and British regulators suspended Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operations, citing concerns over pilot licensing and certification. With the latest decision, Pakistani carriers are now poised to re-enter the UK market, pending individual approvals.