‘New aviation policy to open up business opportunities’

KARACHI: The new national aviation policy is expected to open up new business opportunities, promote tourism through improved regional connectivity and prove favourable for the economy, an official said on Tuesday.

Director Air Transport and Economic Regulation Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Irfan Sabir said 44 airports exist all over the country and of which 27 airports are operational. Six airports

have been scaled down and the remaining 11 airports were closed due to non-activity.

The federal cabinet approved national aviation policy which ensures reduced cost of doing business, ease of doing business, reduced/rationalised paid-up capital and security deposit, tourism promotion, facilitation for aircraft manufacturing and simulator set-ups, Sabir said in a meeting with office bearers of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

Paid-up capital and security deposits have been reduced by almost 50 percent whereas the land-lease rates and rents have been rationalised significantly 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 rationalised and licence validity has been expanded from one to two years,” he said.

CAA issued three licences of adventure, religious and medical tourism to authorise helicopter and fixed wing aircraft services.

Tourism promotion and regional integration licence has been introduced through NAP 2019. Minimum paid up capital required is Rs10 million along with security of rs5 million.

“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,” he said.

Shariq Vohra, president of KCCI said infrastructure development of airports and beautification have to be carried out to attract maximum number of tourists. Special attention must also be given to improving the perception through more-friendly approach.

Vohra underscored the need to develop, modernize and expand Jinnah Terminal in Karachi which must not be ignored.

“It’s good to see that CAA is focused on promoting tourism in northern areas of Pakistan but a lot of tourism opportunities exist in Karachi as well, particularly its beaches which must also be promoted,” he said.

“KCCI should be taken on board in the policy making process so that we could give our inputs on how to improve CAA’s performance and effectively promote tourism in Karachi and elsewhere.

“We are keen to work closely with CAA to explore business avenues through public-private partnership.”

KCCI president further advised the CAA to establish facilitation desk at KCCI for the members of business and industrial community to create a strong liaison between the two institutions.