RAWALPINDI: A United States (US) Transport Security Administration (TSA) team on Monday, March 9 visited Islamabad International Airport (IIA) to conduct a final inspection and give clearance to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to start direct flights to the US.
According to sources, the team will also visit Jinnah International Airport Karachi and Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore.
The US team is expected to hold a meeting with Aviation Secretary Nasir Hussain Jamy today, March 10, to discuss issues related to aviation and security.
For the first time, PIA is likely to start direct flights to the United States from May this year, subject to final clearance by the TSA.
The US team will submit its final report after the security audit of the three airports.
Negotiations between the US administration and PIA continued for the last two years. PIA has taken all measures asked for by the US authorities, including using screening machines at the three major airports.
The PIA has prepared a flight plan according to which initially three flights a week will be operated to New York but the number will be increased later.
However, the embassy of the United States in Islamabad today, March 10, ruled out the possibility of direct flights between the two countries.
The trip US Transport Security Administration has been organized as part of the US Mission to Pakistan’s “ongoing efforts to strengthen economic ties and air connectivity between the United States and Pakistan.”
However, “there are no imminent plans for direct flights between Pakistan and the United States”.
According to the statement, the TSA personnel will meet with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Pakistan International Airline (PIA) and the Aviation Division officials to identify international security standards.
“[The] TSA has been invited by PIA to conduct a formal assessment of security standards at Islamabad International Airport,” reads the statement.
TSA Attaché Daniel McQuaid said, “secure international air travel is essential to facilitate trade and connections and fostering stronger bonds between the United States and Pakistan”.
“We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority as we explore additional areas of cooperation and the possibility of capacity development,” he added.
