Air navigation infrastructure upgraded: Soomro

Federal Minister for Aviation and Privatisation, Muhammadmian Soomro Tuesday said that Pakistan has upgraded its air navigation infrastructure and installed adequate communication, navigation and surveillance facilities to build a strong and dependable air transport system. Soomro formally opened the 27th Steering Committee Meeting (SCM) of Cooperative Development of Operational Safety and Continuing Airworthiness Programme - South Asia (COSCAP-SA).
Speaking at the inaugural session of SCM, the minister reaffirmed that Pakistan fully supports the global policies and guidelines for a safe, efficient, sustainable and viable civil aviation. Enumerating the recent achievements made in Pakistan's aviation sector he apprised that a newly-built Islamabad International Airport is the most modern green field airport in the country. A number of other international airports have recently been expanded and upgraded. He further said that construction of New Gwadar International Airport will not only make a robust air transport system of the country but will also trigger the economic growth in Pakistan.
Referring to the theme of the meeting "Together for Aviation Safety," Soomro emphasised that it must be put to work in the interest of aviation sector of South Asia region. He expressed hope that the meeting will place emphasis on fostering sustained, peaceful and unifying ties amongst all Member States directed towards improving aviation safety.
Earlier in his welcome address, Secretary Aviation Division and Director General Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority Squadron Leader Shahrukh Nusrat (retd) said that Pakistan firmly believes in the philosophy of sustained advancement in the field of civil aviation.
"Our efforts for sustained growth in civil aviation are evident from the revamping of our National Aviation Policy and the associated revitalisation of the government role in regulations, the strengthening of aviation safety and security practices, the liberalisation of market access and traffic rights for bilateral partners and the pivotal modernisation of airports and aerodromes," he added.
He also emphasised that civil aviation authorities are regulators but they should also be facilitators for the progression and sustainability of aviation sector around the globe. He further emphasised that this Meeting of Steering Committee is not mere a forum, it signifies a genuine desire of continual efforts towards strengthening civil aviation oversight capabilities and improving the level of effective implementation resulting in enhanced aviation safety of the Member States.
In his keynote address, Hussain Jaleel, Chairman of COSCAP-SA and Chief Executive Civil Aviation Authority Maldives, highlighted the efforts of COSCAP-SA to promote the aviation safety as well as meet professional proficiency requirements of the ICAO. He also mentioned how the forum is facilitating by imparting trainings and skill development of the stakeholders in South Asian states under COSCAP-SA.
He also thanked Pakistan and Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority for organising the meeting in such a befitting manner and extending the warm hospitality to all the delegates. Speaking on the occasion, Regional Director International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) of Asia Pacific Region, Arun Mishra apprised that a total of 4.3 billion passengers were carried by air transport on scheduled services in 2018 which indicates a 6.1 percent increase over 2017.
He revealed that over half of the world's 1.4 billion tourists who travelled across international borders last year were transported by air, adding that air transport now carries some 35% of world trade by value. In this regard, he said, the Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region with an increase of 7.3 percent.
He informed that aviation activities in South Asian countries have an average compliance level of 68.59 percent which is above the global average of 67.03 percent.
"Owing to dynamic growth of South Asian region's air transport industry, the entire global aviation community with all stakeholders and partners must pledge the highest level of commitment to face growth challenges to maximise the benefits of aviation," he remarked.
However, he lamented that South Asian region critically lacks qualified personnel in aviation safety oversight system, which is one of the main obstacles in its robust growth. Chief Technical Advisor COSCAP-SA, Captain Marie Helene Zubryckyj also spoke on the occasion. She described the objectives of the meeting and provided the details of the agenda of all the three days of SC meeting. Later, she conducted the introductory session of all the delegates.