Home › Learn › Are Pakistani Airlines Safe? Safety and Regulatory Status

Are Pakistani Airlines Safe? Safety and Regulatory Status

Flying is very safe worldwide, but Pakistan’s aviation record includes several serious accidents and regulatory actions, so it is reasonable to look at the facts. This page summarises them neutrally; it is not a safety rating.

What has happened

  • 2010: an Airblue Airbus A321 crashed near Islamabad, killing everyone on board.
  • 2012: a Bhoja Air Boeing 737 crashed near Islamabad in bad weather, killing everyone on board.
  • 2016: a PIA ATR 42 crashed in the north of Pakistan with the loss of all on board.
  • 2020: a PIA Airbus A320 crashed on approach to Karachi, with two survivors.

After the 2020 crash, an investigation into pilot licences led several regulators to restrict PIA’s operations in Europe, the UK and the US; see PIA flights to the EU and UK explained.

Regulation

The Civil Aviation Authority (see PCAA) regulates Pakistani airlines and airports. International bodies such as ICAO audit national oversight, and the EU and the US assess foreign airlines that want to fly there.

What travellers can check

  • Whether the airline is authorised to fly to the EU, UK or the US, as a sign of oversight checks by other regulators.
  • Whether the airline is operating normally.
  • Recent safety news from official sources.
  • The aircraft: modern, well-maintained aircraft are normal.

Keep perspective

Statistically, commercial flying remains far safer than road travel. Safety is a personal judgement; use official sources and decide for yourself.

Related: airlines of Pakistan, fog and flight delays.

Related guides

General information only, not legal or safety advice. Details change; check with your airline and the relevant authority. See our editorial policy.