Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has dispatched letters to its stake holders for proposals and recommendations to meet the international standards for making of National Air Policy.
The government would hold transparent consultations for Aviation policy within the first 90 with all concerned stakeholders. Tentative date to hold first aviation seminar to develop comprehensive strategy in making National Aviation Policy is underway.
Aviation has witnessed a tremendous global change after the 9/11 attacks with airport operations enhancing considerably.
A spokesman of CAA said that airports largely shape the first impression of the passenger including presentation and facilitation of the host country. “Pakistani airports have been greatly neglected and no sincere efforts have ever been put to make them operationally convenient for the passengers,” he said.
With new government in power and efforts of the aviation ministry it is expected that international airports will receive a facelift to make them of international standard and repute. Plans have been initiated at PCAA and PIAC for the purpose.
He remarked that after the formation of the new government visits to airports the concerned officials visited airports to gain firsthand knowledge of the problems faced by passengers and how to create a better environment.
Plans are underway to make Benazir International Airport Islamabad a model airport due to its high traffic density and visits by foreign delegates and international business community. To make it operationally viable on fast tract basis, all hallways have been operationally readjusted to make additional room for passengers.
Scanning machines and clean water dispensers have been made available for passengers. The management aims at providing a friendly environment to its passengers. For increased performance the management has been reprimanded for lapses in different areas in order to create a sense of accountability among them. The spokesperson also stressed that security is of utmost importance and plans are underway to upgrade to a more enhanced security system to counter increasing security threats. Efforts on war footing have been initiated and Pakistan Airport Security Force has been involved to ensure that Pakistani Airports are properly equipped.
Plans have also been formulated to decrease congestion on runways. Multiple meetings with different International carriers have been called to develop a time frame to create better working environment. The change would be made effective from August 2013.
Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore and Quetta Airport will also be remodeled including improved operations. Options are being studied with a view to cater for next 5 to 10 years of passenger load.
It has been suggested that domestic traffic should be diverted to the old airport Lahore after re-modeling.
Lahore deserves a bigger airport like New Delhi.
I am a frequent international traveller at Benazir International Airport. In my opinion it is the worst layout of an International Airport. Obstacles are placed in name of security, without any consideration to passengers or disabled travellers. security is very poor. Safety is not even on the agenda. People responsible for managing this airport seem to be brain dead and lack any credibility. It seems as the Airport managers are out of their depth and have never been outside of Pakistan to see how other airports are designed and managed with all the security in place.
Airports should be safe, secure and user friendly. Not a pleasant experience at Pakistani Airports
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