This is with reference to Gul Zaman’s letter “Closure of Lahore runway” (04 Sep). CAA have always welcomed criticism and have responded positively to the suggestions that could contribute for the betterment of the organization. Unfortunately, lack of knowledge on the part of people results in misunderstanding. As far as Airblue and Bhoja Air crash investigations are concerned, they have been undertaken strictly according to ICAO requirements in most transparent manner.
Regarding ATR incident at Lahore Airport that took place on 31 August, 2012, at 1510 hours, and resulted in blockage of runway for few hours. This must be made clear that PIA’s ATR never skidded of the runway but it was a short landing by the pilot that resulted in this accident.
CAA immediately sent its fire and rescue vehicles and passengers were disembarked safely. Removal of ATR aircraft or for that matter any other aircraft from the runway is the responsibility of operator and not CAA. Since rescue apparatus was not available with the operator at Lahore Airport, it had to be transported from Karachi and hence the delay. It is incorrect to suggest that Lahore runway remained closed for 30 hours, in fact traffic was regulated through parallel runway and the blocked runway was cleared for traffic at 1920 hours just after over four hours.
It is the prerogative of the government to appoint various heads of organizations throughout Pakistan and abroad and CAA is not an exception. It would have been more appropriate if the writer had not indulged in uncalled for remarks about DG CAA, CFO of CAA and various retired officers. CAA is continuously engaged in improving upon the facilities at all the airports in Pakistan. Let us not settle personal scores under the cover of incidents.
PERVEZ GEORGE
Public Relations Manager, CAA
The appointment of a pilot on payrolls of an airline to be regulated by CAA is such a shocking Conflict of Interest that it a big obstacle in the capacity of CAA to perform its regulatory functions. Ther CFOs is solely a political appointee, married to the sister of the man on hill. Why these appointments. Similarly the allegation of irregularities in recruitment of pilots during last 4 years amidst reports that only those were selected who paid Rs5 million or more in cash therby compromising on safety. Today all Pakistani airports have the worst Bird activity hazard in the world–surely a CAA responsibility.
CAA gave permission to Bhoja to restart their operations inspite of controversies that surround the MD of that airline, who owns the phoney Maintenance company based in Dubai. Why did CAAn give this permission. Did Bhoja buy this permission. The MD was in China when Bhoja crashed. What steps did CAA to procure his arrrest. The culprit than left for Dubai where he is living safely. CAA seems to be a subsidiary of welfare trust of our uniformed services and an organization for the blue eyed PPP cronies to seek lucrative assignments.
Mr Chodry.
there are no conspiracies about the MD of the airline. There is nothing phoney abt the maintanence company. I dont how you made this perception . if the source was media , then I am sure by now you agree you can't trust media as a source and make your mind upon it.
Calling him culprit , again , shows no logic as the crash was not a crimnal act. Ofocurse , no country issues arrest warrants for MD's just on the basis that plane crashed , this was done in public pressure and i am sorry to public is illiterate and uncivilized.
I agree that all your views are all streoyped. If u really wish to hold opinion abt this case ,please don;t use mainstream as source of it.
Name one Air Crash of which CAA has carried out a credible investigation which was accepted internationally and the report made public?. If CAA airports are declared a Bird Hazard and its only CATII Landing installed at Lahore is always on Test Basis and it gave NOC for construction of houses, hotels, marriage halls, commercial plazas etc in the sterile zone and right on periphery of barbed wire, who is to be blamed. None but CAA is responsible because it is they that charge taxes from passengers and landing fee from airlines to provide these facilities.
If a PIA aircraft was involved in such an accident at London Heathrow, it will not be PIA which will be required to transport equipment from Karachi and the Runway ramains blocked al that time. London airport Authorities will clear the Runway or its vicinity of the aircraft and than file claim for services, because they are well equipped and being run professionally. The fact remains that Lahore's main Runway was blocked for aircrafts like B777, A340, B747 etc for over 30 hours and CAA has enough funds generated from revenues which are being utilized for benefit of its executives, but not for safelty of air traffic.
B in Law of A to Z is the CFO, What do u expect will be the state of affairs of CAA, Very soon they will be bankrupt like PIA, Railways, PSM, PSO, OGDC, OEBI etc etc
CAA should stop telling lies.
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