PIA is currently undergoing privatization. The airline has an average of 304 employees per aircraft, with a fleet of 34 planes, 13 of which are on dry lease. Overall, PIA employs 10,323 people, which includes 7,399 regular staff members and 2,924 outsourced workers.
During a recent briefing to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Aviation, several concerns were raised. One major issue is the budget constraints faced by the regulatory authority, which have prevented the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) from upgrading outdated equipment at 22 airports across the country.
The Airport Security Force (ASF) also reported similar funding problems, although they are in the process of acquiring new security devices.
The committee brought up several issues that need addressing. They noted cracks in the parking area at Allama Iqbal International Airport and raised questions about the licensing of pilots and aero-medical staff. PIA, along with private airlines such as Air Blue and Air Sial, were cautioned about their frequent flight delays.
In addition, the PCAA is working on developing new policies to regulate the use of drones. As part of a World Bank project, they are also planning to install new weather radars and automatic weather stations.
LThese upgrades aim to improve weather forecasting, which will benefit farmers and various state departments by providing more accurate and timely information.
The committee’s discussion highlighted the need for better infrastructure and more efficient operations in the aviation sector. The privatization of PIA, along with the proposed upgrades and new regulations, is expected to address some of these challenges and improve the overall performance of Pakistan’s aviation industry.
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