KARACHI:
This refers to a letter ‘Aviation Industry’ published here. The argument contending the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) lacks competent and experienced management that led to international flight bans is simply not in accordance with the facts. ICAO rated PCAA’s success above average in its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP) conducted December last — a testimony to PCAA’s capability to provide safety oversight by implementing the critical elements of a safety oversight system, including exams and licensing, effectively and consistently.
PCAA was never responsible for issuing NOCs to the housing societies and developers around airports. It, however, had the task to issue NOCs specific only to the height of the buildings and that too in an area critical to flight operations, taking into account hazardous bird activity, if any. But that changed and now local building authorities are responsible to issue height-clearance NOCs to structures near airports, only working closely with the PCAA to meet the prescribed criteria governing such structures.
Flight safety is the first and foremost priority of CAA. Birds strikes is a global phenomenon more pronounced at airports surrounded by densely populated areas like Lahore, Karachi, Heathrow, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dubai International and Changi. Birds and aircraft have to co-exist in airspace and all measures are taken to avoid attraction of birds to airports and its surroundings in coordination with relevant stakeholders. However, PCAA cannot win this battle alone and the population and local administration around airports must also play their role and dispose of garbage responsibly to avoid bird attraction and help ensure flight safety.
PCAA reiterates its resolve to meet the highest aviation safety standards, protect consumers and manage security risks effectively.
Spokesperson PCAA, HQRS
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2022.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
