The summoning of a crucial meeting in Dubai by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to deliberate on matters concerning the outsourcing of Islamabad airport has been highlighted by ARY News. Scheduled for September 26, this meeting, initiated by the CAA administration, has extended invitations to international companies with a vested interest in participating in the outsourcing of the airport.
This development follows the federal government's recent issuance of tenders to solicit applications for the outsourcing of Islamabad International Airport for a 15-year term.
The Civil Aviation Authority has outlined specific instructions for potential bidders, requiring them to submit their applications in favor of the CAA accompanied by a fee of Rs5,000 by November 8. Interestingly, this move to outsource is not isolated, as last month, the government also decided to explore outsourcing options for Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad International Airports. It's noteworthy that countries like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkiye, China, and Saudi Arabia have exhibited a keen interest in the potential outsourcing of all three airports.
In response to these developments, CAA unions have initiated a protest movement, expressing their staunch opposition to the outsourcing of airports. Despite attempts at negotiation led by Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad, these talks have proven unsuccessful thus far, with CAA employees resolutely maintaining their position against the outsourcing of these critical transportation hubs