Aviation policy to offer more business opportunities
Ease of doing business and reduced cost of business have been ensured in the National Aviation Policy, which is likely to open up a lot of business opportunities, promote tourism through improved regional connectivity and prove favourable for the economy, said Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Director General Khaqan Murtaza.
During a visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), he said, “We are open to all types of suggestions and criticisms so that we could further improve the services being offered by CAA.”
Murtaza added that the authority was making all-out efforts to improve and further develop the infrastructure at airports including new helipads, up-gradation of passenger lounges, flight kitchens, cold storage extensions, etc.
CAA Air Transport & Economic Regulation Director Irfan Sabir, while delivering a presentation on “Contribution of Aviation in Promotion of Global, Regional and Domestic Tourism”, said that a total of 44 airports existed all over the country, of which 27 airports were operational whereas six airports had been scaled down and the remaining 11 airports were closed due to non-activity.
He said that in January 2019, the prime minister directed the Aviation Division/ CAA to critically and comprehensively review NAP to support the aviation and airline industry in Pakistan.
He explained that paid-up capital and security deposits had been reduced by almost 50% whereas the land lease rates and rents had been rationalised significantly in order to reduce the cost of doing business.
“With a view to ensuring ease of doing business, aircraft age requirement parameters have been relaxed, paid-up capital regulations have been rationalised and licence validity has been expanded from one to two years,” he added.
The air transport director revealed that the Tourism Promotion & Regional Integration (TPRI) licence had been introduced through NAP 2019 and three licences had been issued so far which included adventure, religious and medical tourism.
He said that the business community could come forward to help develop aircraft operations, helipads, hotels/lodges, lounges, storage facilities and tourism-related allied services. “The integration of aviation with the business community will help promote tourism, in addition to presenting the true soft image of Pakistan.”
Also speaking on the occasion, KCCI President M Shariq Vohra underscored the need to develop, modernise and expand the Jinnah Terminal in Karachi.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2021.
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