Pakistan earns major honour in aviation sector as CAA Training Institute joins ACI

LAHORE (Web Desk) – Pakistan has received a major boost in the aviation sector after the Civil Aviation Training Institute (CATI) was granted membership of Airports Council International (ACI), the world’s leading association of airports.

CATI operates as an important subsidiary of the Pakistan Airports Authority and plays a central role in aviation-related human resource development. Its inclusion in ACI is being viewed as a recognition of Pakistan’s growing institutional capacity in aviation training and compliance with international benchmarks.

According to officials, CATI is one of the few regional institutes where senior global civil aviation officials also come to conduct and attend professional courses.

The institute currently offers 208 aviation-related training courses that meet international standards, covering a wide range of operational, technical, safety, and management disciplines.

To date, aviation professionals from more than 48 countries have completed training programs at CATI, reflecting its expanding international footprint and credibility. These programs are designed to enhance technical skills, regulatory understanding, and operational efficiency in line with global aviation practices.

Under existing regulations, officers and staff joining the Pakistan Airports Authority and Civil Aviation Authority are required to complete mandatory aviation training courses at CATI. This ensures standardized professional capacity-building across Pakistan’s aviation institutions.

Airports Council International currently has members from 170 countries, making it the most influential global platform for airport development, safety, security, and policy coordination.

CATI’s inclusion in ACI is expected to open new avenues for international collaboration, knowledge sharing, and technical exchange.

Officials said the development also aligns with the government’s broader strategy to bring Pakistan’s aviation sector at par with international standards.

The Ministry of Defence has been tasked with reforms and capacity enhancement in aviation, and CATI’s membership in ACI is being seen as a continuation of these efforts.

Experts believe that this recognition will not only strengthen Pakistan’s aviation training infrastructure but also improve its global image in the aviation industry, potentially attracting more international trainees and partnerships in the future.