Aviation Division has decided to hand over the control of Islamabad International Airport to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). All preparations in this regard are in place, and a final draft proposal is also ready to be tabled before the federal cabinet.
On the other hand, PIA is also gearing up to take control of Pakistan’s most modern and equipped airport. The airline is finalizing names for an Airport Management Wing which will look after non-aeronautical services, security vigilance and the services provided to the passengers.
An official of the Aviation Division informed reporters that after federal cabinet’s approval within three months, the airport will be handed over to the national airline this year. However, the air traffic control system shall remain with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The CAA has shifted its Planning & Development Department from Islamabad to Karachi and PIA has taken control of the vacated building. Reports suggest that the aviation authority is also going to release its daily wages employees working on Islamabad Airport.
Last week, PIA also moved over a dozen employees from the security vigilance and other departments to Islamabad in order to efficiently run the airport’s management.
It is worth mentioning here that the Civil Aviation Authority had been trying to outsource the management of Islamabad Airport and had floated several advertisements in the past. But the idea was rolled back due to security concerns.