FAA begins review of Pakistan aviation safety standards after five-year US ban

By Asif Shahzad

KARACHI: The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began reviewing Pakistan’s aviation standards on Monday, a Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) spokesperson said, as Islamabad seeks to restore direct flights to the United States after a five-year ban.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national carrier, was barred from flying to the US, European Union, and United Kingdom in June 2020, following a deadly crash in Karachi that killed nearly 100 people. The Airbus A-320 disaster, attributed to pilot and air traffic control errors, was compounded by allegations that nearly a third of PIA’s pilot licenses were fraudulent or questionable.

PIA resumed flights to Europe and the UK earlier this year after regulators lifted a four-and-a-half-year ban, but the US restriction persists.

“A five-member FAA delegation, joined by two US Embassy officials, began its engagement with the PCAA today,” Shahid Qadir, PCAA spokesperson, told Arab News. “This FAA safety team’s report will lay the groundwork for resuming flight operations to the United States.”

The review opened in Karachi with a briefing by PCAA Director-General Nadir Shafi Dar on the authority’s structure, mandate, and operations, Qadir said.

Over the week, the FAA team will hold discussions with PCAA departments to evaluate Pakistan’s legal, regulatory, and operational framework against global standards. “The assessment will cover briefings, verification of documents, and evaluation of systems,” Qadir said, adding that the team will submit a formal report to US authorities.

Qadir noted that external reviews often identify areas for improvement. “When we receive this report, we will address any issues raised,” he said.

A separate FAA security team is slated to visit by year-end to inspect airport security, airspace protocols, cargo operations, and ground handling. “Once both reports are finalized and systems cleared, we can seek permission to resume direct flights,” Qadir said.

Restoring US routes would bolster Pakistan’s aviation credibility and economy. “Around 700,000 Pakistani expatriates in the US, plus business and leisure travelers, will benefit from shorter travel times,” Qadir said.