- Britain has lifted a five-year ban on Pakistani airlines, which was imposed in 2020 following a plane crash that killed 97 people and an investigation into pilot licence validity.
- The British High Commission stated that the ban's removal is a result of improved aviation safety standards in Pakistan, enabling airlines to apply to resume UK flights.
- The European Union Aviation Safety Agency had also lifted its five-year ban earlier this year, after which Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) resumed direct flights to Europe.
- PIA, which previously estimated an annual revenue loss of around 40 billion rupees ($144 million) due to the ban, is finalising preparations to resume UK flights, with the Islamabad-Manchester route planned as the first.
- Pakistan's Defence Minister welcomed the decision, highlighting that it would enhance PIA's value ahead of its planned privatisation, following recent reforms that led to the airline's first operating profit in 21 years.
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