CAA Announces New Initiatives
Karachi , November 26 (PPI) : In an effort to highlight the progress made by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) following its recent restructuring in November 2006, a formal press briefing was organized Monday at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore. The briefing which was addressed by Farooq Rehmatullah, Director General CAA served to highlight numerous initiatives and developments undertaken by the new management of CAA, which are aimed towards enhancing the nations aviation sector while serving national and public interests.
Fundamental changes made within CAA that were announced during the briefing included CAAs plans to give a aviation in the country a significant boost by allowing market forces to determine the price, quality, frequency and range of air services options with the objective of increasing its contribution to the nations GPD from 0.1% over a period of 05 years.
Reiterating CAAs commitment to maintain a proportionate balance between the generation of revenue via aeronautical and commercial operations, Farooq Rehmatullah maintained that plans are presently underway to support the development of passenger hubs and cargo transhipment hubs in the country to facilitate the objectives of National Transport Master Plan (NTMP) and National Trade Corridor (NTC).
Further emphasizing upon the organizations commitment to keep pace with global aviation benchmarks, he also maintained that presently the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan is operating in strict compliance to International Civil Aviation Organizations (ICAO) standards in the core areas of safety, security and regularity. The briefing also served to bring to light progress of the New Islamabad International Airport, which is Pakistan green filed airport, the upgrading of CAAs Radar System, and the latest firefighting equipment at the airports.
Highlighting recent milestones achieved by CAA, he added that Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore is ranked as number one amongst 18 of the worlds leading airports in services performance of lounge facilities which was announced following an intensive Service Performance Survey (SPS) recently conducted by Singapore Airlines. DG CAA said that the restructuring process that CAA is undergoing now has long been needed to bring it in line with the aviation authorities of international standard. The conference also served to highlight Commercial Development projects which include the new Islamabad International Airport (NHA), development of mega airport cities in Karachi and Lahore, as well as, the creation of cargo complexes, hotels, shopping malls and attractive retail propositions.
DG CAA also mentioned that the performance of CAAs AIR Navigation services has witnessed further improvement during the 1st quarter of 2007 and has increased by almost 10% as compared to the 1st quarter or 2006 owing to enhanced air space management capability and transit traffic over flying Pakistan airspace.
(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)
27-11 2007