AIRLINK 189.64 Decreased By ▼ -7.01 (-3.56%)
BOP 10.09 Decreased By ▼ -0.05 (-0.49%)
CNERGY 6.68 Decreased By ▼ -0.01 (-0.15%)
FCCL 34.14 Increased By ▲ 1.12 (3.39%)
FFL 17.09 Increased By ▲ 0.44 (2.64%)
FLYNG 23.83 Increased By ▲ 1.38 (6.15%)
HUBC 126.05 Decreased By ▼ -1.24 (-0.97%)
HUMNL 13.79 Decreased By ▼ -0.11 (-0.79%)
KEL 4.77 Increased By ▲ 0.01 (0.21%)
KOSM 6.58 Increased By ▲ 0.21 (3.3%)
MLCF 43.28 Increased By ▲ 1.06 (2.51%)
OGDC 224.96 Increased By ▲ 11.93 (5.6%)
PACE 7.38 Increased By ▲ 0.37 (5.28%)
PAEL 41.74 Increased By ▲ 0.87 (2.13%)
PIAHCLA 17.19 Increased By ▲ 0.37 (2.2%)
PIBTL 8.41 Increased By ▲ 0.12 (1.45%)
POWER 9.05 Increased By ▲ 0.23 (2.61%)
PPL 193.09 Increased By ▲ 9.52 (5.19%)
PRL 37.34 Decreased By ▼ -0.93 (-2.43%)
PTC 24.02 Decreased By ▼ -0.05 (-0.21%)
SEARL 94.54 Decreased By ▼ -0.57 (-0.6%)
SILK 0.99 Decreased By ▼ -0.01 (-1%)
SSGC 39.93 Decreased By ▼ -0.38 (-0.94%)
SYM 17.77 Decreased By ▼ -0.44 (-2.42%)
TELE 8.66 Decreased By ▼ -0.07 (-0.8%)
TPLP 12.39 Increased By ▲ 0.18 (1.47%)
TRG 62.65 Decreased By ▼ -1.71 (-2.66%)
WAVESAPP 10.28 Decreased By ▼ -0.16 (-1.53%)
WTL 1.75 Decreased By ▼ -0.04 (-2.23%)
YOUW 3.97 Decreased By ▼ -0.03 (-0.75%)
BR100 11,814 Increased By 90.4 (0.77%)
BR30 36,234 Increased By 874.6 (2.47%)
KSE100 113,247 Increased By 609 (0.54%)
KSE30 35,712 Increased By 253.6 (0.72%)

KARACHI: Pakistan’s aviation sector is poised for a significant breakthrough as discussions progress with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to resume flight operations, expected to commence in the second quarter of 2025.

In an exclusive interview with Business Recorder, Director General of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Nadir Shafi Dar revealed that Pakistan has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the FAA and is settling pending financial obligations. DG CAA anticipated that the FAA officials would hopefully be expected to visit Pakistan during February-March 2025 for assessment purposes.

“FAA will follow similar criteria to the recent European Union assessment, which yielded positive results,” Nadir Shafi Dar stated.

Pakistan’s PIA to resume flights to Europe on Jan. 10 after 4-1/2 year ban

“I believe we are well-positioned to pass their assessment, which would facilitate our upgrade from Category II to Category I status in the United States.”

The progress of restoring direct flights to Western countries is attracting international investors to pour investment in Pakistan’s aviation sector.

According to DG CAA, investors are actively exploring opportunities through various channels, particularly following Pakistan’s successful clearance for European Union operations and anticipated approval for UK flights.

The development signals a broader expansion phase for Pakistani airlines, necessitating fleet modernization from narrow-body to medium and long-haul aircraft.

“This expansion requires significant investment in infrastructure, including new aircraft and simulator facilities for pilot training,” Dar explained. “As a vertically integrated industry, our airlines also need investment in crew development.”

The DG CAA expressed optimism about the sector’s growth prospects, both domestically and internationally. He noted that while previous investment plans were hampered by economic challenges, particularly foreign reserve shortages, the situation has improved significantly.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024

Comments

Comments are closed.

AK Dec 14, 2024 01:49am
Excellent move..!! In my opinion private sector of Pakistan especially local chambers (example of Air Sial) should be encouraged to come forward in Aviation. PIA needs to be Privitize if w
thumb_up Recommended (0)