Airlines

AirAsia hails reinstatement of Malaysia’s air-safety ranking to Category 1

AirAsia applauds the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for elevating Malaysia’s aviation safety rating to Category 1

AirAsia applauds the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for elevating Malaysia’s aviation safety rating to Category 1 as it was announced by the Ministry of Transport.

As they will issue the necessary regulatory clearances in accordance with FAA standards, the reinstatement is expected to increase chances for its future medium to long-haul network ambitions, particularly to the US and other Asian nations such Japan and Korea. The only airline in the group now flying directly to Honolulu, Hawaii in the US, through Osaka, Japan, is AirAsia X.

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Regaining the category is also positive for Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), the Group’s rapidly expanding MRO division, as it will increase its service for regional and perhaps other international airlines.

“After an industry reset following the epidemic, this announcement could not have come at a better time as travel demand builds up,” said Bo Lingam, group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group Limited. Our future network expansion plans will be made possible by our Category 1 safety rating, which will also stabilize the nation’s aviation sector as a whole.

“The Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia deserve enormous praise for their ongoing efforts to raise the FAA’s assessment of Malaysia’s aviation status and for once again meeting ICAO safety criteria, respectively.

Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.