The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has adviced airlines not to fly below FL 260 altitude while flying over Lahore and Karachi in Pakistan due to the current security situation, which involves terrorist elements&nbsp;—&nbsp;which Islamabad calls 'non-state actor groups'&nbsp;— possibly possessing anti-aviation weaponry, such as MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense Systems)

FL260 conventionally refers to an altitude above 26,000 feet.

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

While EASA's advisory is not mandatory, it still&nbsp;highlights a potential threat to civil aviation at altitudes below FL 260.

Pakistan's support of cross-border terrorism into India's Jammu and Kashmir continues to pose risks to civil aviation.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistani-plane-enters-indian-airspace-due-to-heavy-rain-travels-120-km-before-reentering-pakistan-589993">Pakistani plane enters Indian airspace due to heavy rain, travels 120 km before reentering Pakistan</a>

Air operators have been told by EASA to consider this information in their risk assessments, along with guidance from their national authority.

This is not the first time that such an advice has been issued.

Similar advisories were issued to French and German air operators over the last year. It had&nbsp;recommended all operators to "exercise extreme caution" when flying over the country and not to fly below 24,000 feet (7,300 metres).

Despite EASA's advisory, no specific threat of attack has been mentioned for flights into, out of, or within Pakistan.

Also watch |&nbsp;Taliban govt accuses Pakistan of providing airspace to US drones

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-govt-accuses-pakistan-of-providing-airspace-to-us-drones-511009/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The safety agency's role is to ensure safe air operations by formulating rules, standards, and guidance, certifying aircraft and equipment, and overseeing aviation organisations worldwide.

Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) stated&nbsp;that EASA's instructions are routine and that there has been no communication of any threat to European airlines from Pakistan's airspace.

The CAA spokesperson reassured that Pakistan's airspace is entirely safe for all types of commercial flights.

"Pakistan's airspace is completely safe for all types of commercial flights," a CAA spokesperson was quoted as saying in Pakistani media.

<ul>
</ul>

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has adviced airlines not to fly below FL 260 altitude while flying over Lahore and Karachi in Pakistan due to the current security situation, which involves terrorist elements — which Islamabad calls 'non-state actor groups' — possibly possessing anti-aviation weaponry, such as MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense Systems) FL260 conventionally refers to an altitude above 26,000 feet.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has adviced airlines not to fly below FL 260 altitude while flying over Lahore and Karachi in Pakistan due to the current security situation, which involves terrorist elements — which Islamabad calls 'non-state actor groups' — possibly possessing anti-aviation weaponry, such as MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense Systems) FL260 conventionally refers to an altitude above 26,000 feet. What does it mean? While EASA's advisory is not mandatory, it still highlights a potential threat to civil aviation at altitudes below FL 260. Pakistan's support of cross-border terrorism into India's Jammu and Kashmir continues to pose risks to civil aviation. Also read | Pakistani plane enters Indian airspace due to heavy rain, travels 120 km before reentering Pakistan Air operators have been told by EASA to consider this information in their risk assessments, along with guidance from their national authority. This is not the first time that such an advice has been issued. Similar advisories were issued to French and German air operators over the last year. It had recommended all operators to "exercise extreme caution" when flying over the country and not to fly below 24,000 feet (7,300 metres). Despite EASA's advisory, no specific threat of attack has been mentioned for flights into, out of, or within Pakistan. Also watch | Taliban govt accuses Pakistan of providing airspace to US drones × The safety agency's role is to ensure safe air operations by formulating rules, standards, and guidance, certifying aircraft and equipment, and overseeing aviation organisations worldwide. Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) stated that EASA's instructions are routine and that there has been no communication of any threat to European airlines from Pakistan's airspace. The CAA spokesperson reassured that Pakistan's airspace is entirely safe for all types of commercial flights. "Pakistan's airspace is completely safe for all types of commercial flights," a CAA spokesperson was quoted as saying in Pakistani media. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

European air safety agency cautions airlines while flying over Pakistan

Pakistan is desperately trying to get revocation of the ban imposed on its airline by Europe after a string of scandals and safety issues. In the latest move, the civil aviation officials of the country have been granted a meeting with EU officials later this month. According to local media, the meeting is scheduled for October 25.

This comes months after Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said that International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) has agreed to an online audit after which the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will also do a physical audit&nbsp;in the month of October. If approved, the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) can restart direct flights to European countries and the UK as early as the end of this month, reports suggest.&nbsp;

The PIA first came under scrutiny after its flight PK8303 crashed in Karachi on May 22, 2020, killing at least 97 passengers. The initial report said that the crash was due to a human error by the pilot and the air traffic control. The investigation following the incident led the former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan to ground at least 262 airline pilots who were suspected of bypassing their examination.&nbsp; 
 
ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-global-image-continues-to-worsen-pia-suspension-in-eu-latest-fallout-310309">Pakistan's global image continues to worsen, PIA suspension in EU latest fallout</a>

In July 2020, the EASA suspended the authorisation for PIA flights to operate in EU countries for six months. According to reports, the EASA raised concerns regarding the pilots’ licensing issue in the country and cited the Pakistan aviation minister’s speech in the Parliament which indicated that at least one-third of Pakistani pilots had fake licences.&nbsp;

The EU had also expressed concerns over CAA’s safety deficiencies which included the whole process of licencing and authorisations, application and oversight of safety management systems and establishment of the occurrence reporting system, and so on. Since then Pakistan has repeatedly attempted to get the ban lifted, however, it was retained again earlier this year in January.&nbsp; 
 
ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-international-airlines-regrets-asking-cabin-crew-to-wear-undergarments-issues-clarification-521366">Pakistan International Airlines 'regrets' asking cabin crew to 'wear undergarments', issues clarification</a>

According to sources, the CAA has indicated that the technical discussion with the EASA has concluded and they will conduct an online audit of the airline after which they would also conduct a physical audit of both the CAA and PIA. If approved, they will possibly let PIA flights in EU countries again. The CAA officials expressed hope that the ban on PIA flights is lifted by early 2023, the local media reported.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
 
&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Pakistan is desperately trying to get revocation of the ban imposed on its airline by Europe after a string of scandals and safety issues. In the latest move, the civil aviation officials of the country have been granted a meeting with EU officials later this month.

Pakistan is desperately trying to get revocation of the ban imposed on its airline by Europe after a string of scandals and safety issues. In the latest move, the civil aviation officials of the country have been granted a meeting with EU officials later this month. According to local media, the meeting is scheduled for October 25. This comes months after Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said that International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) has agreed to an online audit after which the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will also do a physical audit in the month of October. If approved, the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) can restart direct flights to European countries and the UK as early as the end of this month, reports suggest. The PIA first came under scrutiny after its flight PK8303 crashed in Karachi on May 22, 2020, killing at least 97 passengers. The initial report said that the crash was due to a human error by the pilot and the air traffic control. The investigation following the incident led the former aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan to ground at least 262 airline pilots who were suspected of bypassing their examination. ALSO READ: Pakistan's global image continues to worsen, PIA suspension in EU latest fallout In July 2020, the EASA suspended the authorisation for PIA flights to operate in EU countries for six months. According to reports, the EASA raised concerns regarding the pilots’ licensing issue in the country and cited the Pakistan aviation minister’s speech in the Parliament which indicated that at least one-third of Pakistani pilots had fake licences. The EU had also expressed concerns over CAA’s safety deficiencies which included the whole process of licencing and authorisations, application and oversight of safety management systems and establishment of the occurrence reporting system, and so on. Since then Pakistan has repeatedly attempted to get the ban lifted, however, it was retained again earlier this year in January. ALSO READ: Pakistan International Airlines 'regrets' asking cabin crew to 'wear undergarments', issues clarification According to sources, the CAA has indicated that the technical discussion with the EASA has concluded and they will conduct an online audit of the airline after which they would also conduct a physical audit of both the CAA and PIA. If approved, they will possibly let PIA flights in EU countries again. The CAA officials expressed hope that the ban on PIA flights is lifted by early 2023, the local media reported. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Report: EU aviation commission agrees to meet Pakistan for possible PIA flight revival

Low-cost airline IndiGo has withdrawn three A320 neo aircraft from service effective from February 9, 2018.&nbsp;

According to a statement released by IndiGo, the airline has withdrawn its three A320 neo aircraft due to engine failure. The grounded aircraft are manufactured by Pratt &amp; Whitney engines. &quot;We confirm of receiving the recommendations by Pratt &amp; Whitney as well as EASA (European Aviation Safety Regulator) with respect to the A320neo aircraft powered by PW1100G - JM engines. We have three aircraft with the particular engine configuration which has been flagged by EASA&quot;, the statement from IndiGo said.

&quot;The move comes after the EASA observed several occurrences of engine in-flight shutdown (IFSD) and Rejected Take-Off (RTO) involving A320neo family aeroplanes,&quot; India&#39;s aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a separate statement.

IndiGo, owned by InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, said that it is in contact with Pratt &amp; Whitney to address the results of a recent finding.

&quot;Our precautionary measure of grounding the three aircraft resulted in cancellations of some of our flights. But we feel it was the best decision in the interest of our safe and reliable operations. Safety of aircraft, passenger and crew at IndiGo is of the highest priority and at no time it can be compromised with&quot;, IndiGo further said.

Meanwhile affected IndiGo passengers have been accommodated in other connections and flights of other airlines, the airline said, adding that passengers have also been given choice of full refund as well.

'The move comes after the EASA observed several occurrences of engine in-flight shutdown (IFSD) and Rejected Take-Off (RTO) involving A320neo family aeroplanes,' India's aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a separate statement

Low-cost airline IndiGo has withdrawn three A320 neo aircraft from service effective from February 9, 2018. According to a statement released by IndiGo, the airline has withdrawn its three A320 neo aircraft due to engine failure. The grounded aircraft are manufactured by Pratt & Whitney engines. "We confirm of receiving the recommendations by Pratt & Whitney as well as EASA (European Aviation Safety Regulator) with respect to the A320neo aircraft powered by PW1100G - JM engines. We have three aircraft with the particular engine configuration which has been flagged by EASA", the statement from IndiGo said. "The move comes after the EASA observed several occurrences of engine in-flight shutdown (IFSD) and Rejected Take-Off (RTO) involving A320neo family aeroplanes," India's aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a separate statement. IndiGo, owned by InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, said that it is in contact with Pratt & Whitney to address the results of a recent finding. "Our precautionary measure of grounding the three aircraft resulted in cancellations of some of our flights. But we feel it was the best decision in the interest of our safe and reliable operations. Safety of aircraft, passenger and crew at IndiGo is of the highest priority and at no time it can be compromised with", IndiGo further said. Meanwhile affected IndiGo passengers have been accommodated in other connections and flights of other airlines, the airline said, adding that passengers have also been given choice of full refund as well.

IndiGo grounds three A320 Neo planes over engine-failure

easa

Easa, News on Easa, stories on Easa, articles on Easa, Easa stories at Wion, Easa news, Easa latest news