The Canadian inspectors met with Pakistani officials at the PCAA headquarters to discuss the scope of the assessment
A two-member team from Canada commenced an aviation security assessment at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on Monday, according to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). The team, which includes inspectors Barbara Durette and Abdel Tahir from Transport Canada, will focus on evaluating various security protocols and measures at the airport over the next four days.
The Canadian inspectors met with Pakistani officials at the PCAA headquarters to discuss the scope of the assessment. Their evaluation will cover aviation security documentation, airport arrangements, and the operations of catering and cargo complexes.
“The team will be inspecting the implementation of various aviation security protocols at the airport and the implementation of special security measures being undertaken by PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) for direct flights to Canada,” stated the PCAA.
This assessment is part of ongoing collaborative efforts between Transport Canada and the PCAA to improve aviation security standards in Pakistan. Notably, this is the fifth international evaluation of Pakistan’s aviation security system in recent months. The PCAA has previously announced that it successfully passed all prior inspections, including a recent assessment by the United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority (UAE-GCAA) of airports in Islamabad and Karachi, which concluded on July 5.
Pakistan’s aviation sector has faced significant scrutiny since 2020 when it was revealed that approximately 262 out of 860 active pilots had obtained fake licenses. This led to the grounding of around 150 pilots from PIA and other airlines. The scandal came to light following the tragic crash of PIA flight 8303 in Karachi, which intensified calls for regulatory reforms to enhance safety standards and transparency in the country’s aviation industry. Consequently, PIA’s operations were suspended in the European Union and other regions.
The ongoing assessments and evaluations aim to address these issues and restore confidence in Pakistan’s aviation security protocols.
