EU, US re-open to Pakistani airways after CAA clears ICAO security audit

The ICAO, a United Nations aviation physique, had suggested Pakistan in September 2020 to hold out immediate corrective motion and cease issuing any new pilot licences after it learnt that bogus licenses might have been issued to unscrupulous components.

The revelation had come following the crash of a Pakistan Worldwide Airways (PIA) plane in Might final 12 months, which resulted within the deaths of 97 passengers and crew.

Pakistani pilots had confronted sanctions after the aviation minister mentioned within the Nationwide Meeting {that a} third of them had doubtful or faux licences.

Within the wake of the scandal, the European Union Aviation Security Company (EASA) had taken severe discover and discontinued TCO (Third Nation Operator) Authorisation for Pakistani carriers.

The USA had additionally downgraded Pakistan to class 2, which implies no Pakistan origin plane was allowed to enter US territory.

In its January 4 letter to DG CAA Khaqan Murtaza, ICAO’s Deputy Director Denis Guindon wrote that the committee performed the audit in December 2021 and “decided that the actions taken by Pakistan had efficiently resolved SSC (Important Security Concern).”

“I want to confer with the Important Security Concern (SSC/PEL-01/09-2020/PAK refers) that was issued to Pakistan on 18 September 2020 in addition to the Common Security Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Steady Monitoring Strategy (CMA) audit that was performed by an ICAO crew in Pakistan from 29 November to 10 December 2021.”

In the course of the audit, the committee reviewed the corrective actions taken and associated proof offered by Pakistan to deal with the SSC relating to the licensing system of the State, particularly in relation to the examinations performed by the CAA and by delegated or designated coaching organizations previous to the issuance of licences and rankings.

“In accordance with the USOAP SSC course of, […] the ICAO SSC Validation Committee reviewed the actions and related proof validated in Pakistan. The Committee decided that the actions taken by Pakistan had efficiently resolved SSC,” the letter said.

The ICAO official additionally thanked the aviation authority for help throughout the audit mission and reiterated appreciation for the lively dedication of Pakistan in the direction of reaching its security targets.

On this achievement, the CAA declared this as a historic milestone for Pakistan and appreciated the efforts of your complete regulatory crew behind this success.

After passing the protection audit, the PCAA has began contacting UK CAA and European Fee to convey the decision of security considerations by ICAO.

The CAA mentioned that will probably be emphasised to allow operations of Pakistani registered airways to UK and Europe on the earliest potential and hoped that permissions shall be issued on a quick monitor foundation.