Report: Ahmed /ANI
ISLAMABAD — The Senate was informed in a written reply that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) suffered an estimated Rs200 billion in revenue losses between August 2020 and December 2024 following flight restrictions imposed by the UK, European Union and the US over allegations of fake licences held by Pakistani pilots.
The restrictions deprived PIA of access to the lucrative UK market, benefiting airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
The Federal Cabinet has constituted a committee headed by the Defence Minister to assess the financial losses caused to the national exchequer and the damage to PIA’s reputation allegedly resulting from the former Aviation Minister’s statement.
According to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, a formal complaint was filed with the FIA on July 24, 2020. Following investigations under the Civil Aviation Rules 1994, the government revoked the licences of 50 pilots and suspended 33 others.
A separate high-level committee has also been formed to conduct a forensic analysis of pilot examination data and airline records and submit its findings.
