PCAA Dismisses EASA’s Flight Altitude Advisory as Unfounded

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has strongly refuted claims made by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regarding the safety of its airspace.

The EASA advised airlines to maintain an altitude above FL 260 when flying over Lahore and Karachi due to a potential threat from “violent non-state actor groups”. The PCAA categorically denied these allegations, ensuring Pakistan’s airspace remains “completely safe” for all commercial flights.

A spokesperson from the CAA disputed the EASA’s advisory, stating, “EASA has not informed Pakistan of any threat to European airlines.” This was in response to the EASA’s warning concerning anti-aviation weaponry in Pakistan and the “continued possible threat to civil aviation.”

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Similarly, the Aircraft Owners Operators Association (AOOA) expressed disapproval of the EASA’s directive. The organization called for its withdrawal, with its founder, Imran Aslam Khan, labelling the EASA’s instructions “irresponsible”. Khan pointed out that numerous airlines fly to and from Pakistani airports daily without any security incidents.

Khan added, “EASA should monitor the European airspace. After the Ukraine-Russia tension, the European airspace is unsafe for planes, and many airlines have changed their routes.” This comment directly critiques the European agency’s focus on Pakistani airspace safety.

The EASA’s advisory had urged European airlines to exercise caution when flying over Karachi and Lahore due to potential risks from anti-aircraft guns and missiles. The agency recommended pilots maintain an altitude of 26,000 feet to avoid potential danger. It’s worth noting that this is not the first time the EASA has issued such an advisory. In November of the previous year, the agency released a similar notice urging operators to exercise “extreme caution” when flying over Pakistan and maintaining an altitude of no less than 24,000 feet.

The EASA, responsible for proposing, formulating, and enforcing safety regulations in Europe and worldwide, has not referred to any specific threat of attack for flights into, out of, or within Pakistan in their advisories.