ISLAMABAD:
Despite the lifting of UK Department for Transport (DfT) restrictions on Pakistani airlines more than a month ago, direct flights between Pakistan and the United Kingdom have yet to resume, with officials unable to provide a definitive date.
According to sources, the major hurdle lies in the failure to secure the mandatory Third Country Operator (TCO) licence, without which direct operations to the UK cannot begin. Responsibility for obtaining the licence has become a point of contention, with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), and private carriers shifting blame onto one another.
The issuance of the TCO is the responsibility of the airlines, not the CAA, insiders at the aviation regulator said. However, airline officials argue the authorisation is granted at the country level, and therefore falls under the CAA’s purview.
The CAA spokesperson clarified that the authority’s mandate was limited to facilitating the removal of restrictions, which has already been achieved.
“At present, Pakistani airlines have not formally received TCO approval from the UK,” PIA spokesperson said, adding that a flight schedule would be issued immediately once clearance was granted.
Private airlines also confirmed they were awaiting the TCO approval, noting that they had completed their planning.
Earlier, dates of Aug 14, Aug 16, and the first week of Sept were floated for the resumption of flights, but none materialised.
