Following up on the post I made last week about the problems that have hit Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) over the last few months; I can now update readers further.
The European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas has now responded to the letter that I and several other Liberal Democrat MEPs wrote last week, informing us about the current state of affairs.
The European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas has now responded to the letter that I and several other Liberal Democrat MEPs wrote last week, informing us about the current state of affairs.
Commissioner Kallas described how, although PIA have displayed serious problems in the past and have been monitored for a lengthy period, they have responded positively to the Commission's concerns.
Subsequently, the airline has now taken significant steps to ensure that the safety and flight-worthiness of their aircraft measure up to international standards.
Subsequently, the airline has now taken significant steps to ensure that the safety and flight-worthiness of their aircraft measure up to international standards.
In the response to our letter, the Commissioner expressed concern that the European Aviation Society had suspended the airline's Air Security Certificate earlier this year. However, he assured me that this was not a pre-requisite for operating within the EU. So long as improvement is shown at the next check, PIA will still be able to fly within the EU.
This is good news for Yorkshire passengers who fly with PIA through Leeds Bradford Airport , as the Commission has confirmed that they will be able to continue to visit Pakistan