KARACHI: The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has been restructured into three distinct entities: the PCAA, the Bureau of Aircraft Safety Investigation (BASI), and the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA). Each of these organizations has been assigned specific roles and responsibilities. Under the new structure, all commercial airports now fall under the jurisdiction of the PAA. BASI is tasked with investigating aircraft accidents, while the PCAA retains control over regulatory functions. The PCAA will manage departments related to flight standards, pilot licensing, aerodrome airspace, airworthiness, air transport, and aeromedical services. The Ministry of Aviation announced the establishment of the PAA and…
Author: holidayweekly
ISLAMABAD: In a landmark move to bolster its tourism industry and respond to longstanding calls from the travel trade sector, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has announced a major overhaul in Pakistan’s visa policy. Effective from August 14, Pakistan will offer free tourist visas to citizens of 126 countries, marking a significant shift towards making the country more accessible and welcoming for international travelers. This new policy will allow visitors from a range of nations to enjoy the beauty and rich cultural heritage of Pakistan without the financial burden of visa fees. Citizens from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)…
CAIRO: The Egyptian government has introduced a series of new immigration policies aimed at boosting tourism and attracting more visitors. One of the key changes is the introduction of a 96-hour free transit visa, now available at all Egyptian airports. Previously limited to EgyptAir passengers, this policy has been expanded to include other local carriers and will remain in effect until the end of April 2025. Additionally, during the summer months, travelers arriving at Luxor-Aswan International Airport on Egyptian airline flights will be eligible for a free emergency entry visa. This offer applies to nationals from countries that allow emergency…
KARACHI: The Pakistan Travel Mart (PTM) has officially launched its 4th edition, set to take place from January 31 to February 2, 2025, at the Expo Centre Karachi. Since its inception in 2017, PTM has been a cornerstone event in Pakistan’s travel and tourism industry, evolving into the country’s premier travel and tourism exhibition. The initial edition laid the groundwork, and subsequent events in 2018 and 2019 expanded in scale and scope, showcasing diverse travel experiences through a wide array of exhibitors, including airlines, hotels, tour operators, and provincial tourism boards. These editions also featured activities like panel discussions, exhibitions,…
KARACHI: In a groundbreaking project, LADIESFUND Energy empowered female engineers in Pakistan by solarizing the Hooseini Yateem Khana orphanage. An all-female team, trained and certified by NED, installed a 24 KW system, marking Pakistan’s first female-led solar roof installation and potentially the world’s first by an all-female team. A ceremony celebrated this achievement, showcasing the solar panels and giving tours of the orphanage. The training, provided by Dawood Global Foundation and supported by KFW, included 28 women engineers, with plans for future batches. The course, led by Dr. Mohsin Aman, used advanced equipment to train these women, who then executed…
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Supreme court on August 2 issued an interim order suspending the government’s new visa scheme, run by a consortium including an Indian company, that earlier sparked controversy over allegations of corruption totalling over a billion dollars. The Supreme Court ordered that the previously used online visa system be restored. In April this year, Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration switched to a new visa portal, roping in a consortium of GBS Technology Services, the India-registered IVS Global Services, and VFS Global. The formerly used Electronic Travel Authorisation system, operated by the state-run telecom provider Mobitel, was…
KARACHI: Fly Jinnah, Pakistan’s leading low-cost airline, has proudly partnered with T3 Aviation Academy to induct its first batch of future Pakistani pilots. This milestone marks the beginning of an ambitious journey to cultivate and develop local aviation talent in Pakistan. The initial training phase for these CPL holders commenced on June 20, 2024, at the T3 Academy facility in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. After completing this foundational training, the group will advance to aircraft base training and line training with Fly Jinnah. This comprehensive program will equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the highest international…
COLOMBO: Tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka have reached 1,095,675, with expectations of continued growth in the coming months. Somarathne Vidanapathirana, the Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Lands, stated that if this trend persists, Sri Lanka could surpass its 2018 peak in tourism numbers, the highest since the end of the war. Speaking at a recent media briefing at the Presidential Media Centre, Vidanapathirana attributed the promising recovery to the concerted efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and its affiliated institutions. This recovery comes despite significant setbacks from the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent…
GWADAR: The testing and commissioning of the New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) have been completed with precision. This phase marks the culmination of a detailed three-month process, begun on April 15, that optimized the airport’s compliance with design requirements, operational efficiency, and minimized future operational risks while adhering to maintenance standards and legislative regulations. The comprehensive testing and commissioning involved the airport’s entire infrastructure, including the runway, taxiway, apron, electrical systems, telecommunications networks, security features, water supply system, and grid station, Gwadar Pro reported on Monday. A Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Pakistan official explained to Gwadar Pro, “Testing and commissioning…
COLOMBO: AirSial, a private airline in Pakistan, is slated to start direct flight operations between Colombo and Islamabad, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Admiral (Retired) Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne said. He said the Pakistani Cabinet has approved for this. Currently, SriLankan Airlines operates flights to the Pakistani cities of Karachi and Lahore. Besides, the High Commissioner told the Daily Mirror that Sri Lanka and Pakistan will conduct bilateral consultations after two years next Monday based on subjects such as trade, investment, tourism and culture and sports activities. Sri Lanka is the first country to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Pakistan…