ICAO audit team to visit Pakistan
A delegation representing the International Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO) is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on November 5 for a
comprehensive audit of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This five-day audit,
running from November 5 to 10, will primarily focus on evaluating the flight
safety and maintenance standards enforced by the aviation regulatory body.
The visit holds significant importance as Pakistan endeavors
to regain approval from the ICAO, allowing the resumption of flights to Europe
and the UK. These routes were temporarily banned starting in July 2021 due to
concerns stemming from a plane crash in Karachi on May 20, 2022, and statements
made by the then Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar, suggesting that around 40% of
Pakistani pilots were operating with falsified licenses.
European
Agency clears PIA in remote audit, physical audit to follow in September
Led by Manjeet Singh, the ICAO delegation will conduct a
thorough examination of various aspects of aviation, including license
standards, flight safety protocols, and air traffic control guidelines.
The delegation's assessments will take place at multiple
locations, including Lahore and Karachi airports, as well as the primary
headquarters of the CAA in Karachi. The team is expected to scrutinize
regulatory preparations and procedures essential for Pakistani aviation operations.
Canada
to conduct security audit of Pakistani airports
It's worth noting that in January 2022, the ICAO expressed
satisfaction with the safety measures implemented by Pakistan's Civil Aviation
Authority.
Additionally, officials from the European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) are expected to arrive later in the same month to conduct
an audit of both the CAA and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Source: Express Tribune