KARACHI: Director General of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Khaqan Murtaza has said that ease of doing business and reduced cost of doing business has been ensured in the National Aviation Policy which was likely to open up a lot of business opportunities, promote tourism through improved regional connectivity and prove favorable for the economy.
“We are open to all types of suggestions and criticisms so that we could further improve the services being offered by Civil Aviation Authority”, he said, adding that CAA was working really hard to improve and further develop the infrastructure at airports including new helipads, up-gradation of passenger lounges at airports, flight kitchens and cold storage extensions etc.
DG CAA was speaking at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry which was also attended by Deputy Director General CAA Nadir Shafi Dar, Director Air Transport & Economic Regulation CAA Commodore Irfan Sabir, President KCCI M. Shariq Vohra, Senior Vice President M. Saqib Goodluck, Vice President Shamsul Islam Khan and KCCI Managing Committee Members.
Director Air Transport & Economic Regulation CAA Commodore Irfan Sabir, while delivering a presentation on “Contribution of Aviation in Promotion of Global Regional and Domestic Tourism”, informed that a total of 44 airports existed all over the country, of which 27 airports were operational whereas six airports have been scaled down and the remaining 11 airports were closed due to non-activity.
He said that in January 2019, the Prime Minister directed Aviation Division/ CAA to critically and comprehensively review NAP to support Aviation and Airline Industry in Pakistan. Subsequently, NAP was reviewed and approved by Federal Cabinet which ensures reduced cost of doing business, ease of doing business, reduced/ rationalized paid-up capital & Security Deposit, tourism promotion, facilitation for aircraft manufacturing and simulator set ups.
He explained that paid up capital and security deposits have been reduced by almost 50 percent whereas the land-lease rates and rents have been rationalized significantly in order to reduce the cost of doing business. “With a view to ensure ease of doing business, aircraft age requirement parameters have been relaxed, paid-up capital regulations have been rationalized and license validity has been expanded from one to two years”, he added.
Director Air Transport informed that Tourism Promotion & Regional Integration (TPRI) license has been introduced through NAP 2019 and three licenses have been issued so far which includes adventure, religious and medical tourism. “TPRI license authorizes to conduct helicopter services in addition to fixed wing aircraft while minimum paid up capital required is Rs10 million along with Security of Rs5 million.”
He said, “While CAA ensures infrastructure for air connectivity to all tourist destinations, business community can come forward to help develop aircraft operations, helipads, hotels/ lodges, lounges, storage facilities and tourism related allied services. The integration of aviation with business community will help in development of tourism in Pakistan, in addition to presenting the true soft image of Pakistan.”
Speaking on the occasion, President KCCI M. Shariq Vohra extended full support and cooperation to CAA for making NAP successful as the business community of Karachi would like to see a flourishing aviation and aircraft industry which would ensure economic prosperity for the country.
