Business Desk 
Sep 08, 2025
In this photograph taken on April 26, 2018, Pakistani airport staff walks through the Islamabad International Airport on the outskirts of Islamabad. — AFP
In a significant step towards resuming direct flights from Pakistan to the United States (US), a five-member team from the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has begun a safety audit of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA).
According to officials, on the directives of the director general of the PCAA, all relevant departments have completed preparations for the audit.
The five-member FAA team is conducting a detailed audit of the PCAA, focusing on numerous areas such as licensing examinations, flight standards, airworthiness, and state safety oversight.
Direct flights from Pakistan to US
The officials noted that the development has rekindled hopes for the restoration of direct flights from Pakistan, including those operated by the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), to the US.
Notably, a safety audit will help in upgrading the category of PCAA, and if the safety audit is successful, direct flights can also be restored.
Currently, Pakistan is in Category 2 in the US, as the FAA downgraded the PCAA from Category 1 to 2 after the fake license pilots scandal came to light.
However, authorities indicate that a good outcome from the FAA audit would not only reinstate direct flights but also enhance Pakistan’s aviation rating, which could pave the way for larger international operations.
A five-member FAA team will leave Pakistan for the US on September 12 after completing a safety audit, sources said.
