The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially launched a comprehensive review of Pakistan’s aviation standards, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) confirmed. The move is regarded as a crucial step toward restoring direct flight operations between Pakistan and the United States, which have remained suspended for the past five years.
Background of Suspension
Direct flights operated by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to the US, European Union, and the United Kingdom were halted in June 2020, following the tragic crash of a PIA Airbus A-320 in Karachi that claimed nearly 100 lives.
Investigations pointed to pilot and air traffic control errors as the cause of the disaster. Soon after, international concerns deepened when inquiries revealed that nearly one-third of PIA pilots held suspicious or fake licenses, leading to strict global regulatory actions.
While flights to Europe and the UK resumed earlier this year, the US ban has remained in place, preventing PIA aircraft from entering American airspace.
FAA Delegation’s Assessment
On Monday, a five-member FAA delegation, along with two US Embassy officials, began formal sessions with the PCAA in Karachi.
The delegation will conduct an in-depth aviation safety assessment, covering:
- Legal and regulatory frameworks
- Operational safety procedures
- Compliance with international aviation standards
The first session was chaired by PCAA Director-General Nadir Shafi Dar, who provided an overview of the authority’s organizational structure and its oversight mechanisms.
According to PCAA spokesperson Shahid Qadir, the assessment will include:
- Verification of operational records and documentation
- Detailed departmental presentations
- On-ground inspections of current systems in place
Next Steps in the Review
Once the review is complete, the FAA will prepare a formal report to be submitted to US aviation authorities. Shahid Qadir emphasized that the PCAA is committed to addressing any deficiencies highlighted in the findings, stating that external audits provide a valuable opportunity to align with global safety benchmarks.
In addition, a separate FAA security team is scheduled to visit Pakistan later this year. This second evaluation will cover critical areas such as:
- Airport security measures
- Airspace management
- Cargo handling procedures
- Ground operations and support systems
Only after both safety and security reviews are successfully completed — and all recommendations fully implemented — will Pakistan be in a position to formally submit a request for resumption of direct flight operations to the United States.
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