Tag: Civil Aviation Authority

  • 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 gathers global players: Meeting in Dubai to discuss Islamabad airport outsourcing 

    CAA gathers global players: Meeting in Dubai to discuss Islamabad airport outsourcing 

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has convened a significant meeting in Dubai to address matters pertaining to the outsourcing of Islamabad airport. 

    Sources indicate that the CAA administration has scheduled this meeting for September 26 in Dubai, extending invitations to international companies interested in participating in the outsourcing of the airport. 

    This development follows the federal government’s issuance of tenders, soliciting applications for the outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport for a duration of 15 years. 

    According to ARY News, the Civil Aviation Authority has stipulated that interested bidders must submit their applications, along with a Rs5,000 fee, in favour of CAA by November 8. 

    Notably, the government recently made the decision to pursue the outsourcing of Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad International Airports, drawing keen interest from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, China, and Saudi Arabia. 

    In response to this decision, CAA unions launched a protest movement, which has persisted despite attempts at negotiation by Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad. 

    The steadfast stance of CAA employees remains unwavering, with a spokesperson for the CAA Union asserting during a media address that the protest movement will persist until their demands are met. 

  • 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.

  • CAA employees announce nationwide protests, demand DG’s removal

    CAA employees announce nationwide protests, demand DG’s removal

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) officers and employees unions have formally announced their intent to hold nationwide airport protests today. Furthermore, the unions have collectively resolved to initiate a campaign aimed at the removal of the current Director-General (DG) of the CAA.

    According to a report by ARY News, these demonstrations are a direct response to the federal government’s recent decision to contract out the management of three prominent airports, which has elicited strong opposition from CAA personnel.

    In the month of July, CAA employees had previously expressed their objections to the outsourcing of Pakistan’s three major airports.

    In this regard, a protest was organized at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, led by the CAA’s union and officer association.

  • Islamabad International Airport outsourcing plan finalised: 15-year agreement for third-party management

    Islamabad International Airport outsourcing plan finalised: 15-year agreement for third-party management

    The decision to outsource Islamabad International Airport was finalised on Tuesday. According to the details, the airport will be under third-party management for 15 years, with a non-refundable advance payment of $100 million in case of any third-party violations.

    Administrative, financial, design, and construction responsibilities will be handled by the third party. They will also have the authorisation to construct shopping malls and brand shops within the airport. The third party will retain control over service charges, exchange rates, and shop rents as per the agreement.

    According to ARY News, Customs, site security, and immigration services, on the other hand, will continue to be managed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), according to sources.

    Previously, the Aircraft Owners and Operators Association of Pakistan (PAOOA) expressed opposition to the government’s unilateral decision to outsource the country’s major airports without adhering to PPRA rules.

    The association criticised the government for awarding contracts to IFC and the World Bank (WB) for the outsourcing of three airports. The association’s statement questioned the secrecy surrounding the outsourcing process, raising doubts about its transparency.

  • 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.

  • Sindh bans meals in public transport amid Omicron upsurge

    Sindh bans meals in public transport amid Omicron upsurge

    A notification issued by the Home Department, Government of Sindh, on Tuesday says that “in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 3(1) of the Sindh Epidemic Diseases Act, 2014 (The Sindh Act VIII of 2015) is pleased to impose ban on serving of meals / snacks in domestic air travel and public transport within the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Sindh with effect from 17 January 2022 and till further orders”.

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Saturday banned the serving of meals on domestic flights in line with the directives of the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) to curb the spread of Omicron variant of coronavirus in the country while Sindh has also banned meals in public transport.

    The NCOC decided to extensively engage with provinces, especially with the Sindh government, for necessary measures to tackle the rising disease.

    The Sindh Home Department empowered the deputy commissioners, additional deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, Mukhtiarkars, as well as the transport department and police officers not below the rank of inspector to take legal action against any violation of the direction.

  • ‘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.

  • Ban on meals to end soon on domestic flights

    Ban on meals to end soon on domestic flights

    The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has suggested lifting the ban on in-flight meals services amid the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    As per details, the authority wrote a letter to the Aviation Division on Wednesday, recommending them to lift the ban on meal and beverages on domestic flights as the authority’s efforts to contain the spread of the pandemic have been successful.

    The letter further asked the Aviation Division to seek approval from the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) in this matter.

    The precedent of halting food services was set by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) last year. PIA wanted to limit interaction between passengers and airline crew members under the reviewed standard operation procedures (SOPs).

    The idea was picked by CAA and they directed all airlines to follow the protocol on domestic flights. However, passengers on international flights are being served pre-packaged food with beverages.

    Passengers flying to Saudi Arabia receive snacks, club sandwiches, patties, one banana, and muffins in a pre-packaged box with a soft drink. Whereas flights to Kabul and Gulf countries only serve snacks.