Canadian team to audit Pakistan’s aviation sector

ISLAMABAD – A high-level delegation from Canada would be visiting Pakistan next month to inspect the general aviation mechanism of the country.

The Transport Canada team would be arriving in Pakistan during the first week of December to examine the flights and airport security.

The team is also expected to inspect the cash-strapped Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and its flight operation to Canada from Karachi Airport.

The Canadian team will also examine PIA’s planes and assess the security at the airport besides getting a briefing on the security measures at the Karachi Airport, ARY News reported.

The Canadian delegation would also be examining the different handling of operations at the airport including baggage handling, boarding of passengers, and overall security rules for flyers.

The purpose of Transport Canada’s visit is to make sure the flights from Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi to Canada are safe and efficient. The airport authorities will also show the Canadian team the Joint Search Baggage Counter set up by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at Karachi airport.

During the visit, the officials from the Pakistan side would also give detailed presentations to the Canadian team and look for measures to improve the efficiency of the sector.

Overall, this visit aims to make sure that flights between Canada and Pakistan adhere to high safety standards and to identify any areas where improvements can be made for a safer and more efficient air travel experience.

It bears mentioning that the Pakistan International Airlines has not resumed flights to the United Kingdom and other European destinations. The flight operation was disrupted after former Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan revealed that the pilots of the carrier were having fake licenses.

Former Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar had said on the floor of the parliament that the flights would be resumed in October; however, the flight operation has not resumed.