National Transport Policy 2018 - Aviation

[Abbas Ali]

Under National Transport Policy - 2018 approved by the last federal government:

Air transport will be liberalized in accordance with open skies policy on a reciprocal basis to stimulate new entrants establishing new routes and increasing the number of flights to and from Pakistan, without compromising national interests.

International long-distance connectivity will be promoted from selected airports, whilst direct connections are promoted for regional and domestic travel.

Specific domestic routes for socio-economic purposes will be targeted via public service obligations.

A level playing field for both domestic and international airline operators will be established for passenger and freight transport.

Commercial, market based pricing together with rationalisation of the tax structure in the aviation sector will be established.

Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority will be restructured, separating its regulatory and service provision responsibilities.

Civil Aviation Authority may enter into suitable public-private partnerships for operation, management and development of airports.

Pakistan International Airlines will be restructured and rescaled to become financially viable.

The infrastructure capacity and level of service of international and domestic airports will be developed in line with the functional purpose of the airports.

All airports will be connected to public transport of suitable standards, to commensurate with the status of the airport.

Source: The Nation