Airblue has received authorization from the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to operate flights to Europe, as reported by national media on Saturday.
According to a report by Pro Pakistani, this marks a significant milestone for the airline, which already serves international routes to destinations such as Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah in the UAE. With this approval, Airblue is set to expand its network, further enhancing Pakistan’s global connectivity.
The news follows the European Union’s decision to lift the suspension on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which had been in effect since 2020. Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that this move was the result of extensive efforts by the Ministry of Aviation to improve safety oversight and meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
The suspension of PIA was initially imposed after a 2020 plane crash in Karachi, which tragically claimed nearly 100 lives and exposed issues with pilot licensing. The suspension had a severe financial impact on PIA, costing the airline an estimated Rs. 40 billion ($143.73 million) annually.
After a 2023 inspection by EASA and the European Commission, Pakistan’s aviation sector regained the trust of European regulators, clearing the path for PIA’s return and Airblue’s entry into the European market.
