LAHORE: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has suspended Serene Air’s flight operations following mounting passenger complaints and the airline’s failure to maintain a functional fleet.
The suspension came after Serene Air was left without a single airworthy aircraft. The CAA has also issued a notification ordering the immediate return of the airline’s Air Operator Certificate, citing non-compliance with operational regulations.
Serene Air, however, maintained that one of its planes was grounded in Saudi Arabia after a bird strike, while another is undergoing maintenance in China. A third aircraft has been held up due to mandatory checks after four years of service.
The airline’s spokesperson said that Serene Air had requested permission from the CAA to repatriate its stranded passengers from Saudi Arabia and expressed hope that the Air Operator Certificate would be restored after review.
The CAA stated that Serene Air’s certificate has been suspended due to non-availability of aircraft, but the restoration case would be considered once the airline makes planes available for operations.
Meanwhile, the last hurdle in Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) flight operations to the United Kingdom has been removed, with British authorities issuing the national carrier a “Foreign Aircraft Operating Permit.
PIA spokesperson Abdullah Khan confirmed the development, saying the airline will announce its UK flight schedule today.
He said that the resumption of direct flights from Pakistan to Britain will greatly facilitate passengers.
The airline had earlier received formal Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation from the British Department for Transport (DfT), which makes a crucial step in reestablishing its air connectivity with the UK.
PIA has also been granted the Air Cargo Carrier 3 (ACC3) certification for its security and cargo operations. The certification will be valid for five years. The certificate, issued by international aviation safety bodies, demonstrates full confidence in PIA’s operational standards and safety compliance.
The comprehensive approval received allows PIA to restart its direct operations with full authorisation and recognition of our improved safety protocols, the spokesperson said.
In July, the United Kingdom lifted its ban on Pakistani airlines, allowing them to resume flight operations after over five years.