Pakistan International Airlines

Pakistan International Airlines has faced scrutiny regarding its safety record and regulatory compliance in recent years.

• Recent Safety Record and Notable Incidents:
• On May 22, 2020, PIA Flight PK8303, an Airbus A320-214, crashed near Karachi airport, killing 97 out of 99 people on board and one person on the ground. Investigations cited human error and non-adherence to rules as primary causes.
• Historically, between 1970 and 2020, PIA's safety record was described as "not particularly strong," with an average of one fatal accident every five years, which is considered poor given its fleet size.
• Recent incidents reported in early 2025 include an A320 communication system failure (January 16, 2025), a bird strike (February 18, 2025), and an A320 landing on the wrong runway at Lahore (January 17, 2025). A Boeing 777 also experienced a cracked windshield in November 2025.

• Regulatory Certifications:
• IOSA Certification: PIA has successfully maintained its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registration since 2005, a crucial internationally recognized standard for operational management and control systems. The airline underwent an IOSA audit in May 2024, renewing its registration until September 2026, demonstrating its commitment to meeting international operational safety standards.
• EU Safety List Status: Following the PK8303 crash and concerns over pilot licensing in 2020, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) suspended PIA's authorization to operate to EU member states. However, as of November 29, 2024, EASA lifted the four-year ban, confirming that PIA had passed its safety audit and that the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) had reestablished sufficient oversight. This decision allows PIA to resume commercial air transport operations to, from, and within the EU.
• FAA Compliance: In July 2020, the US banned PIA flights due to pilot certification concerns. On July 15, 2020, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded Pakistan's International Aviation Safety Assessment rating to Category 2, which prevents Pakistani airlines, including PIA, from establishing new services to the United States or carrying the code of any US airline. The lifting of this particular ban has not been announced.

• Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation:
• As of October 2024, PIA's fleet has an average age of approximately 18 years. Other reports from November 2023 indicate an average age of 17 years, noting that international standards suggest planes become unfit for flight at 19 years of age. Only two of PIA's planes are less than 10 years old. The airline has grounded ten aircraft (four Airbuses, five Boeing 777s, and one ATR) that are between 15 and 20 years old.
• PIA Engineering first qualified for EASA Part 145 approval in June 2004, enabling it to provide aircraft maintenance services to European-registered airlines. Most of PIA's aircraft maintenance and regulation are conducted at the Ispahani Hangar at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.

• Overall Safety Assessment:

PIA's safety record has been challenging, marked by significant incidents and subsequent international operating restrictions. The 2020 A320 crash prompted a thorough re-evaluation of its safety protocols and pilot certification processes. While PIA has successfully renewed its IOSA certification and, most recently, had its four-year ban by EASA lifted, indicating progress in meeting international safety standards and regulatory oversight, concerns remain regarding its aging fleet and the ongoing FAA Category 2 rating. The recent lifting of the EU ban is a significant step towards rebuilding international confidence.

• Safety Awards or Recognitions:

In 2009, PIA recognized its employees with safety awards at a seminar for demonstrating courageous acts and professional handling of abnormal situations. There is no information about more recent general safety awards or recognitions for the airline itself in the available data.