ISLAMABAD: Government formed an eight-member committee to begin process of outsourcing three major airports of Pakistan Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. According to report committee would be headed by Director-General Civil Aviation Authority Khaqan Murtaza. In this connection, committee has written letter to managers of all three major airports, directing them to provide data of airports aviation ministry. Letter stated that committee would also collect information from all directorate branches of three airports. CAA issues clarification Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) that authorities commenced outsourcing process of country’s airports but not privatisation. PCAA spokesperson said in statement that media reports regarding privatisation of airports are false. Government planned to upgrade country’s airports to international standard to facilitate nationals.

Purpose of outsourcing airports is providing best services to passengers at airports. Outsourcing process will be based on competitive auctions, PCAA said. According to sources, government has planned to prefer friendly countries for airports outsourcing. “Firms from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, China and Turkiye will be invited on preferential grounds,” sources said. Sources citing Planning Division said that country will earn 250 to 300 million dollars in year from outsourcing of airports. Government will contract to outsource airports for 25 years, sources said. Under agreement airport terminal services, parking, airport storage, cargo handling and cleaning sections will be outsourced, sources said. Civil aviation will keep airport security and air traffic control with it.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 06 2023

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