Tag: CAA

  • Islamabad Airport to be outsourced, international firms meeting underway in Dubai

    Islamabad Airport to be outsourced, international firms meeting underway in Dubai

    Today in Dubai, a crucial meeting of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is set to take place, focusing on the outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport.

    According to ARY News, CAA officials have convened in Dubai to participate in this pivotal session, marking a significant step in the outsourcing process for Islamabad International Airport.

    This gathering will see the participation of international firms that have expressed interest in becoming part of Islamabad Airport’s outsourcing initiative. It’s noteworthy that the federal government intends to implement a phased approach to outsourcing major airports nationwide.

    Previously, the federal government had initiated the process by issuing tenders to solicit applications for outsourcing Islamabad International Airport for a duration of 15 years. The Civil Aviation Authority has stipulated that interested bidders are required to submit their applications along with a Rs5,000 fee to the CAA by November 8.

    Recent developments reveal that the government has made the decision to outsource Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad International Airports. Notably, countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, China, and Saudi Arabia have expressed a keen interest in the outsourcing of all three airports.

    In response to this decision, CAA unions launched a protest movement, and despite attempts at negotiation by Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad, talks have proven unsuccessful. CAA employees remain steadfast in their opposition to the outsourcing of airports, with a spokesperson for the CAA Union emphasising that the protest will persist until their demands are met.

  • Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority is dividing into two entities

    Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority is dividing into two entities

    A specialised committee consisting of nine members has been established to supervise the division of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

    Heading this committee is Shazia Rizvi, who holds the position of Joint Secretary II within the Ministry of Aviation. Assisting her as the committee’s deputy is Vice Air Marshal Taimoor Iqbal.

    As per the official notification, Vice Air Marshal Taimoor Iqbal will serve as the committee’s deputy. The committee will also include other distinguished members, namely Asif Iqbal, the Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation; Abdul Malik from the Ministry of Finance; and Nadir Shafiq, the Deputy Director General of Regulatory CAA.

    In addition to the aforementioned members, Commodore Mirza Aamir, President of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board; Saqib Butt, Director of Finance at CAA; Sameer Saeed, responsible for Aviation Security; Sadiqul Rahman, Director of APS; and Abid Ali Shah, Director of HR at CAA, will also be integral parts of this committee.

    The committee has been allocated a deadline of October 15th to carry out its assigned tasks. The primary objective of this restructuring initiative is to bifurcate the CAA into two distinct entities, namely the Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) and the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation (BASI).

    In addition to the creation of these new entities, the committee holds the vital responsibility of seamlessly transferring assets, funds, personnel, records, and equipment between them.

  • CAA’s timely intervention saves PIA from defaulting on IATA payments

    CAA’s timely intervention saves PIA from defaulting on IATA payments

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) stepped in to rescue Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from a potential financial crisis with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

    According to ARY News, the CAA provided PIA with one billion Pakistani rupees to settle its outstanding dues with IATA. This timely payment prevented IATA from declaring PIA in default, a situation that could have led to the suspension of PIA’s global ticket sales.

    It’s important to note that PIA was facing a severe financial crisis and couldn’t meet its service charges to IATA. The Director General of CAA confirmed that, following the Ministry of Finance’s directive, one billion rupees were allocated to PIA for a week to support the national airline during these challenging times.

    In addition, it has come to light that PIA also owes a substantial amount to CAA, totaling several billion rupees.

  • Govt set to outsource Islamabad International Airport operations for 15-20 years

    Govt set to outsource Islamabad International Airport operations for 15-20 years

    The government has taken the decision to outsource the operations of Islamabad International Airport before the conclusion of its current tenure. The decision comes as part of the government’s strategy to enhance efficiency and service quality at the airport.

    According to details, the concerned authorities are set to issue a tender for the outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport for a duration of 15 years, with the possibility of extending the contract to 20 years to accommodate the interests of interested companies.

    As per the outlined plan for airport outsourcing, the responsibility for passengers’ facilitation services will be transferred from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to the selected private company. This company will be entrusted with the management of the airport, with a primary focus on improving passenger facilities. Furthermore, the company will be responsible for the renovation and management of the duty-free shops within the airport premises.

    A noteworthy aspect of this outsourcing plan is that the current CAA employees associated with Islamabad International Airport will be reassigned to other departments within the airport network. Additionally, several other essential services, including airport terminal services, parking, storage, cargo, and handling, will also be included in the outsourcing process.

    It is crucial to mention that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will retain control over critical functions such as airport security and air traffic control departments. This measure is taken to ensure that crucial aspects of airport operations remain under the direct supervision of the government.

    To safeguard the interests of passengers and ensure accountability, the agreement with the selected company will include provisions that allow the federal government to terminate the contract in case of failure to provide satisfactory facilities and services to travelers.

    Following the initiative at Islamabad International Airport, the federal government also plans to undertake similar outsourcing measures for the airports in Lahore, Karachi, and Skardu, aiming to streamline operations and enhance overall service delivery standards.

    In a related development, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar presided over a meeting of the Steering Committee in Islamabad yesterday, where the progress of work pertaining to the outsourcing of airport operations was thoroughly reviewed. The committee unanimously granted approval to the Ministry of Aviation to proceed with the tendering process for outsourcing Islamabad International Airport. The move is intended to align airport services with the best industry practices and improve the overall travel experience for passengers.

    According to ARY, this strategic decision by the federal government reflects a proactive approach to leverage private sector expertise in managing critical aspects of airport operations, with the ultimate goal of providing enhanced services and facilities to travelers using Islamabad International Airport.

  • Civil Aviation Authority returns lost pouch containing $9,500 to passenger

    Civil Aviation Authority returns lost pouch containing $9,500 to passenger

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has successfully recovered a missing pouch containing $9,500, equivalent to Rs2.7 million, belonging to a passenger who arrived in Islamabad from the United States.

    Anwar Aman and his family arrived in Islamabad via flight QR-632, as confirmed by a CAA official. Upon retrieving his bags from the belt in the lounge, he inadvertently left his handbag on the chair.

    At around 2:30 am, Aman left the welcome area with his belongings. However, upon returning to the airport at 3 am, he discovered that his pouch was missing. After an unsuccessful attempt to locate the pouch himself, he reported the matter to the authorities and requested that CCTV footage be checked. Unfortunately, there was no CCTV surveillance in the location where the pouch was lost.

    Subsequently, the Adviser to the Prime Minister, Aun Chaudhry, was contacted, and CAA Vigilance Assistant Rab Nawaz was instructed to investigate the matter through CCTV footage. The CAA team then proceeded to check each passenger with the help of cameras, and a particular family was suspected. As a result, data was collected from the female passenger and her other family members, and the husband of the female passenger in the UK was contacted and informed of the entire incident.

    Eventually, the CAA team was able to recover the pouch containing $9,500 from the woman. The currency, worth Rs2.7 million, was then handed over to its owner, Anwar Aman.

  • ‘Rapid COVID-19 testing’ – CAA announces new SOPs for flights

    ‘Rapid COVID-19 testing’ – CAA announces new SOPs for flights

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued new provisions for airlines after a sharp increase in coronavirus cases. The decision came after many violations in SOP’s not being followed were reported.

    Airlines have been instructed to keep 20 per cent of their seats vacant and ensure social distancing between passengers. As per new directives, airlines violating the orders will be fined. Airport managers have been tasked to ensure that the SOPs are being followed.

    Earlier this week, the authority began rapid Covid-19 testing of international passengers at airports across Pakistan. According to the Health Ministry, through these tests, coronavirus reports will be obtained within 20 minutes.

    If reports are positive, passengers will have to isolate at a quarantine center at their own expense. Those who test negative will be allowed to go home but will have to stay indoors for a week.

    On May 1, the government decided to reduce inbound international flights to 20 per cent of the current measure.

  • EU refuses to lift ban on PIA, seeks safety audit of CAA

    EU refuses to lift ban on PIA, seeks safety audit of CAA

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has decided to retain a ban on the Pakistan International Airlines, saying it will not be lifted until a complete safety audit of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

    In response to a request by PIA CEO Arshad Malik, wherein he sought temporary suspension of the ban, the EU agency said the CAA will have to fulfill the pre-conditions if it wanted the ban to be lifted.

    Profit reported a letter by EASA as saying: “Regarding a lack of confidence in certification and oversight activities performed by the Pakistani CAA, which was the second aspect that led to the suspension of Third Country Operator Authorisation, the investigation performed by the European Commission and by the ICAO [International Civil Aviation Organization] has not yet been concluded.”

    “Consequently, as all preconditions to lift the suspension are not met and, as an audit will be necessary, the agency decided not to revoke your Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation but to extend the suspension period by additional three months.”

    On Saturday, Ghulam Sarwar, the aviation minister, had claimed that the ban on PIA flights to Europe would be lifted soon. The EU banned the PIA flights in July after claims that the PIA pilots had fake licences.

  • AirSial to start flights by mid-December

    AirSial to start flights by mid-December

    After a months-long delay due to the coronavirus pandemic, AirSial is finally here. The private airline owned by the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry will start its operations from next month, and its first Airbus A320-200 plane has already arrived in Sialkot this Sunday.

    AirSial was among six new airlines that had applied to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for regular public transport (RPT) licences in 2018. However, following the issuance of the permit, it had faced an uncertain future after its launch scheduled for May 2020 was indefinitely postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic among other reasons.

    But, the arrival of its fleet from the US means the private airline is all-set to launch its flights operations. Meanwhile,

    reports also claim that PM Imran Khan will inaugurate the private airline on Dec 9, but the operations would be started much later. It will operate flights between Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot and Peshawar before expanding operations to the other cities.

    Initially, the airline’s operations will rely on three Airbus A320-200s, which have been leased from AerCap, the world’s largest independent aircraft leasing company, based in Dublin, Ireland.

    According to an AirSial official quoted by Dawn, two more aircraft would arrive soon in Sialkot, one of them on Dec 3, to join the new airline’s fleet.

    Reacting to the development, cricketer Shoaib Malik, who hails from Sialkot, said it was a “proud moment for everyone in Sialkot, who has been a part of the process”.

  • PIA & 150 pilots ‘with fake licences’

    PIA & 150 pilots ‘with fake licences’

    The Supreme Court (SC) has taken notice of reports of pilots allegedly flying planes in Pakistan without licences.

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed has summoned a reply from the director general (DG) of civil aviation within two weeks, directing him to explain how and why these fake licences are issued and what action is being taken against the people who issue them.

    Putting passengers’ lives at risk is a major crime, the CJP said and also summoned the heads of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Air Blue and Serene Air at the next hearing, directing them to submit reports verifying the licences of their respective pilots.

    PIA GROUNDS 150 PILOTS:

    In a related development, PIA announced on Thursday that it will be grounding nearly 150 out of its 426 pilots amid an inquiry that they hold “dubious” licences.

    A day earlier, Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan said 262 pilots, out of total 860 in the country, have suspicious flying licences and would be grounded immediately.

    Talking to media in Islamabad, he said licences of these pilots are dubious.

    The minister stated that there are some pilots, who did not appear in any paper but managed to get the licences.

    He informed that the government has decided that all such pilots would be issued show cause notices and charge sheets so that they could not fly any plane.

    Sarwar said criminal proceedings would also be initiated against pilots with fake licences as the government could not allow anyone to put the lives of its citizens at risk.

    The decision comes at a time when an initial inquiry into a PIA plane crash was presented before the parliament by the country’s aviation minister, who also highlighted irregularities at the national carrier.

    PIA’S REACTION TO MINISTER’S CLAIM:

    Earlier, PIA asked the Aviation Division to provide a list of all quack pilots associated with the airline.

    PIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Air Marshal Arshad Malik wrote a letter to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) DG in reference to the minister’s claim that out of 264 fake or suspicious licences, around 150 belonged to PIA pilots.

    As an operator as well as the national flag carrier, he said, “It is a grave concern for us as many out of these 150 pilots must be flying PIA aircraft, which cannot be allowed after disclosure of fake/suspicious licences scam by [the] aviation minister”.

    Arshad Malik reminded the top CAA official that he had penned a similar letter to the aviation secretary for the provision of a list of those PIA pilots having fake or suspicious licences but no response had so far been received.

  • Indian police mistake wedding for anti-Modi protest, uproot tents

    Indian police mistake wedding for anti-Modi protest, uproot tents

    As anti-Citizens Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) protests against Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s government continue across India, Uttar Pradesh (UP) police have disrupted a wedding after mistaking it for a sit-in.

    According to India Times, UP police on Saturday uprooted a tent meant for a wedding in the Mohalla Mirdagan area of Bijnor city. The wedding was scheduled for February 4 and the bride’s father had set up the tent in a vacant land.

    All gifts and other items for the bride were kept in the tent. Police arrived on the spot and assuming that the tent was set up for anti-CAA/NRC protest without permission, started uprooting it. However, after realising the truth, they asked the family to reinstall the tent, reportedly not even helping them.

    The anti-CAA and NRC protests are ongoing protests taking place across India and overseas against the CAA that was enacted into law on December 12, 2019, and the proposals to enact a nationwide NRC. The protests began in Assam, Delhi, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura on December 4, and within a few days, spread across India, though the concerns of the protesters vary.