European Union soon to lift ban as ICAO removes PIA from safety concern list

What happened: On January 5, the International Civil Aviation Organization removed CAA from its list of SSC  (Safety Significant Concern).  Subsequently, the ICAO’s team visited the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority in December, after which the safety audit was cleared and PIA was set to fly in the EU. Reports suggest that Pakistan International Airlines’ direct flights to the UK and EU may restart soon.  Details: It is pertinent to mention that in mid-2020, the national airline PIA was banned from flying operations in the EU due to flight safety concerns. At the same time, PIA’s CEO Arshad Malik is quoted by Express Tribune as,  “We were able to clear and cross that hurdle of safety and quality standards with outstanding remarks.”  Arshad Malik also hinted at PIA operations starting in the EU in the first quarter of 2022.  Also: PIA’s CEO Arshad Malik had claimed that the national airlines’ operations were disrupted over the years because of political interventions. Arshad Malik also said,  “PIA lost merit-based decisions due to the political interventions, but we managed, organised and groomed ourselves in commercial aviation.”