From prestige to decline: The fall of Pakistan’s aviation industry

Pakistan’s aviation industry, once a thriving hub connecting Europe, the Middle East and Asia, has suffered a major decline in recent decades.

At its peak from the 1960s to the 1980s, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operated direct flights to 18 European cities and five U.S. states. Karachi’s airport served as a key transit point for major carriers, including Pan Am, Lufthansa, KLM and Qantas.

However, political interference, weak regulatory oversight and safety concerns have led to a sharp downturn. Many international airlines have abandoned operations in Pakistan, preferring hubs in Dubai, Doha, Mumbai and Istanbul. Today, only a handful of carriers, mostly from Gulf states, continue to operate in the country.

Safety concerns and declining oversight

Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was once a respected regulatory body, even earning maintenance certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the British Civil Aviation Authority.

However, its credibility has diminished due to multiple aviation disasters and safety lapses.

The 2010 Airblue crash in Islamabad remains Pakistan’s deadliest aviation disaster, killing 152 people due to pilot error and air traffic control failures.

In 2012, a Bhoja Air flight crashed near Islamabad, killing 127 passengers. Investigations pointed to poor weather monitoring and misjudgment by air traffic control.

The most recent tragedy occurred in May 2020, when a PIA Airbus A320 crashed in Karachi, killing 97 people.

The probe revealed pilot negligence and miscommunication with air traffic controllers. The incident led to an international outcry and prompted the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to ban PIA from its airspace. The UK and U.S. followed with similar restrictions.

Pakistan’s efforts to restore global flights

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has repeatedly warned Pakistan about failing to meet global safety and regulatory standards. Audits have found deficiencies in pilot training, airport management and aircraft maintenance.

In recent months, Pakistan has taken steps to address these concerns. On Jan. 10, after a four-and-a-half-year ban, a PIA direct flight landed in Paris. The airline also expects to resume flights to the U.K. on March 28.

Despite these developments, aviation experts believe Pakistan needs deeper reforms. Several governments have introduced policies to revive the sector, including proposals for public-private partnerships in airport management, but implementation has remained slow.

The road ahead

Aviation professionals stress the need for stricter regulations and modern infrastructure investment.

CAA Director General Nadir Shafi Dar, who has served in regulatory roles and holds an executive MBA from LUMS, has been tasked with restoring Pakistan’s aviation credibility.

While PIA’s return to European destinations is a positive step, regaining the trust of international aviation authorities will require long-term reforms. Until then, Pakistan’s once-thriving aviation sector remains in recovery mode.