Summary All stakeholders to be consulted to meet the international standards.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - The government would unveil Aviation policy within its first 90 days in a transparent manner after consultation of all the concerned stakeholders.
This was said by the spokesman of Aviation Ministry in a statement issued here on Saturday. He said that to meet the international standards and have the view point of all stakeholders. For this purpose the letters have been dispatched to Airlines, private operators, ground services, cargo & freight management companies and aircraft handling companies for the views and comments.
The last such review was made by PCAA in 2000 and since then aviation globally has seen a tremendous change after 9/11. The operations at airport, to the process of leasing & operating the aircraft have changed considerably.
Tentative date to hold first aviation seminar to develop comprehensive strategy in making National Aviation Policy is underway. While the policy for the last 13 years has been neglected,
The spokesman said that Airports globally are the first picture visiting guests will come across and their presentation along-with the facilitation will define their experience of the host country. It is with much regret, when it comes to Pakistan International Airports, which have been subject of great neglect from all perspectives. No sincere efforts have ever been put into force to make them operationally convenient for the passengers yet secure from national interest.
With new government in power, the task, though monumental, yet the dream of making them of par excellence can be achieved through sincere, honest and focused approach, this what Aviation Ministry is moving onto.
In first few days, after being entrusted with this tedious task, following actions have been initiated at PCAA and PIAC. He said that immediately after the new government came in, visits to all airports have been undertaken to gain firsthand knowledge of the problems to travelers and how to create a better environment.
Benazir International Airport Islamabad due to its high traffic density, visit by foreign delegates, international business community is being targeted as a model airport. To make it operationally viable on fast tract basis, al thel hallways have been operationally readjusted to make additional room for passengers.
He said that after onsite analysis, choke areas had been identified that were resulting in congestions at airport lounges and delay of international flights. After taking stakeholders, Pakistan Customs, Airport Security Fore and Anti Narcotics Force onboard, the scanning machines have been re-positioned.
The government has also taken some measures regarding the scanning machine has been directly provided to concerned security agencies operating at airport, which has reduced their workload and they are better equipped now to detect and carryout thorough search of suspected baggage, instead of checking all with lot of time wastages.
The hallways gave a very dark look, the same has been catered for on priority basis to create more clean and friendly environment. To facilitate passengers is the prime task of PCAA and especially concerned airports, again area neglected for considerable period of time. Drinking water, clean & friendly environment have been targeted and thus proper arrangements have been made through provisioning of water dispensers and waste bins.
It is ironic that workforce suppose to maintain and provide the services have never been checked for the presence by PCAA in past or the concerned ministry. This time all airports where such lapses have been found, have been reprimanded to create a sense of accountability among the leaders at the respective stations.
Another major security concern is congestion at the airport. At Islamabad airport, which is a co-user airfield, the same had been neglected and all international carriers/flights have been placed in one block time at night thus resulting problem for all concerned agencies as well as for the airport authorities.
On immediate basis a meeting of all International carriers has been called to develop a time frame to create better working environment. The same will be made effective from August 2013. A change that will make the airport, again passenger friendly and a role model.
Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore due to high traffic from all over Punjab region has been neglected for a very long period of time. The congestion at the passenger terminal can only be catered through re-modeling of the operations (Domestic & International) or to extend the airport.
Both options are being studied with a view to cater for next 5 to 10 years of passenger load and also to be a minimu drain on national economy already fragile. It is being planned that the old airport building at Lahore be re-modeled or new steel structure be erected and domestic traffic is handled through this terminal and international on the other side.
Quetta Airport again requires a complete uplift as part of the Government efforts to make it a true domestic hub of Balochistan and to facilitate the people of the area. Efforts are being made in areas related to navigational services, airport infrastructure so as to make it viable for international/foreign airlines to start their operations.
