• European Commission says PIA’s authorisation remains suspended due to compliance shortcomings
• Flight resumption linked to PCAA performance
ISLAMABAD: A member of the federal cabinet told the National Assembly on Friday that the European Union (EU) had removed Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from its ‘concern list’, even though the European Commission still maintains that “no flights can be operated from Pakistan into the EU”.
Responding to a calling-attention notice during Friday’s proceedings of the lower house of parliament, Minister of State for Finance, Revenue and Power Ali Pervaiz Malik said that Pakistan was removed from the EU’s concern list on May 14.
Mr Malik said Pakistan has already submitted correction plans with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which have been verified by the agency, adding that PIA would soon restart its flight operation to Europe.
On this, MNA Aliya Kamran, who had moved the calling-attention notice, asked what appropriate steps were taken during the last three years to restore flights to Europe and, citing a recent EU report issued on May 31, questioned the minister’s claim.
“Pakistan has [been] excluded from the Air Safety Commission’s concern list,” Mr Malik responded, expressing confidence that PIA flights would start flying to different destinations in Europe soon.
PIA ‘compliance failure’
However, the minister’s confidence seems misplaced, especially after a European Commission spokesperson confirmed that PIA’s Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation — managed by EASA — continued to remain suspended.
The operators of all commercial and chartered flights from outside the EU have to obtain TCO authorisation to fly to and from destinations in the EU. The TCO regulation has been in place since November 2016 and ensures that the aircraft operating in EU countries comply with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) safety standards.
All commercial airlines apply for the TCO authorisation by submitting information about their aircraft and safety programme to the EASA for review.
Dawn made multiple attempts to seek PIA and PCAA’s version, but neither responded to requests for comment.
Responding to a set of questions posed by Dawn, a spokesperson for the Commission confirmed that there were currently no Pakistani air carriers included on the EU Air Safety List — which lists all airlines banned from operating in Europe, as well as those that are restricted from operating in Europe under certain conditions.
However, the spokesperson clarified that current restrictions for PIA were the result of a suspension of its Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation by EASA, which “coordinates and collaborates closely on this matter with the European Commission”.
“PIA still fails to demonstrate effective compliance with all applicable safety standards,” the spokesperson said, echoing the findings of the May 31 European Commission report regarding air carriers from Pakistan.
EASA concerns
The report recounted the observations of on-site assessments conducted in November 2023 at the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), including sample assessments of two domestic air carriers.
The assessment focused its activities on PCAA, in view of its safety oversight role and responsibility for the air carriers certified in the country.
This implies that the restoration of PIA’s TCO for Europe is linked to the European Commission’s review of the PCAA’s performance.
While noting that the authority was committed to international safety standards and staffed by technically skilled people, “common shortcomings were observed throughout the organisation”.
The visit found deviations from PCAA procedures, as well as severe understaffing in terms of qualified personnel to perform all certification and safety oversight tasks.
The report noted that PCAA had submitted a Corrective Action Plan on May 6, 2024, which detailed efforts undertaken to rectify the shortcomings identified during the assessment.
However, the EU Air Safety Committee resolved to focus on continued monitoring of the safety situation in Pakistan, noting that all other states should continue verifying the effective compliance of air carriers certified in Pakistan with the relevant international safety standards.
Earlier this week, a six-member team from the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Coordinated Validation Mission visited the PCAA headquarters to carry out a validation and verification mission activity, distinct from an audit.
The team will also visit other regulatory directorates, such as legal, operations, airworthiness, and flight standards.
Syed Irfan Raza also contributed to this report
Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2024
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