Ijaz Kakakhel ISLAMABAD
A legislative body of Upper House of parliament on Thursday said there should be no compromise on safety and security of commercial aircraft at all airports of the country
These views were expressed in Senate Standing Committee on Aviation held at Parliament Lodges, with Senator Hidayatullah in the chair.
Members of the committee also expressed serious concern over mushroom growth of housing societies near to airports across the country and suggested that it must be discouraged.
Regarding increase in bird hits around airports the committee was informed that the need for taking on board provincial administration was essential to ensure that this issue is resolved at the earliest.
Deliberating over the embarrassing disappearances of flight stewards and air hostesses in Canada; the Committee stressed the need for stringent action against perpetrators.
Regarding KIBOR being charged by CAA; the Committee stressed the need to review this pattern and facilitate airlines to usher in more business.
Committee members were briefed on various issues that are currently being faced by the Aviation Sector in Pakistan.
Members of the Committee who attended the meeting were Senator Saifullah Abro and Senator Afnan Ullah Khan.
Senator Umer Farooq was present as a special invitee in relation to a query regarding flights to Quetta from Islamabad; along with senior officers from the Ministry of Aviation.
Matters taken up by the Committee included chartered flight from India on 15th August, 2022; increase in bird hits; financial losses at PIA Office London; disappearances of flight stewards and air hostesses in Canada; KIBOR being charged by CAA and flights to Quetta from Islamabad.
The meeting commenced with a briefing related to inbound and outbound flights of all domestic airlines from Islamabad to Quetta. The Committee questioned the curbing of other domestic flights on this route. The Committee stressed the need to resume flights of other domestic airlines on this route; so that fares may be regulated. The Committee was of the view that incentives may be offered to airlines to encourage flight operations on this route. The Committee was informed that the Ministry cannot force airlines to operate on a given route; since the decision is based completely on commercial feasibility and other factors.
