Islamabad – A high-level team from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) has conducted a critical security audit at Islamabad International Airport, marking a potential turning point in the resumption of direct Pakistani flights to the United Kingdom.
During the visit, the UK team thoroughly inspected security screening processes for passengers flying to the UK. They also evaluated systems related to check-in, boarding, immigration, and visa verification. Additionally, the team audited a British airline operating direct flights from Islamabad to London.
Officials from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) provided briefings and collaborated closely with the UK delegation during the audit, which is expected to conclude by July 10.
The audit comes ahead of a key meeting of the UK Air Safety Committee, scheduled for later this month. The findings of the DfT team will be presented in that meeting. Pakistani authorities are hopeful that a favorable review may finally lead to the lifting of the five-year ban imposed on Pakistani airlines in July 2020.
The ban was enacted following revelations of a fake pilot license scandal involving multiple Pakistani pilots. If the audit report proves satisfactory, it could open the door for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other local carriers to once again operate flights to the UK—reviving a critical air corridor between the two countries.
