Director General Khaqan Murtaza said that until the CAA received the approval, the PIA would not be able to resume flight operations to the EU…reports Asian Lite News
The ban imposed by the European Union on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight operations is expected to be lifted soon, local media reported quoting the country’s Civil Aviation Authority official.
“Yes, the ICAO has informed the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that the safety audit conducted by its team recently was presented before its validation committee, which cleared it after which the SSC will be removed and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency will lift the ban,” CAA Director General Khaqan Murtaza said at a meeting of the Senate Sub-Committee on Aviation on Wednesday, Dawn newspaper reported.
He further said that until the CAA received the approval, the PIA would not be able to resume flight operations to the EU.
An ICAO audit team that had visited Pakistan to undertake a safety audit of the aviation authority completed the process on December 10; however, its final report will be released in a few weeks and shared publicly, the newspaper said.
According to Dawn, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had extended travel restrictions imposed on PIA in April for an indefinite period and has directed the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to get its safety audit done by ICAO scheduled in July.
Meanwhile, Pakistan reported 359 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the country’s National Command and Operation Centre said on Thursday.
According to the NCOC, at least two people have been died due to the coronavirus infection.
“Total Tests in Last 24 Hours: 46,564 Positive Cases: 359 Positivity %: 0.77% Deaths : 2 Patients on Critical Care: 666,” the NCOC said in a tweet.
Meanwhile over 30 suspected cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19 were reported in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Tuesday, as per local media.
According to The Express Tribune, the provincial government imposed a 15-day lockdown in Kech district to cease a surge in COVID-19 cases. The notification issued in this regard stated that all shops and markets, except for essential services, will remain closed in the district. (ANI)