ISLAMABAD – The Federal Cabinet has approved the new Aviation Policy 2019in a meeting headed by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday. This will bethe beginning of the New “Fair Sky” policy and the end of the open skypolicy for Pakistan Aviation. Following the cabinet meeting Fawad Chaudhry,the Information minister, highlighted certain aspects of the policy.
The Minister said that PIA was severely affected by the Open Sky policy asa number of lucrative routes were abandoned in favor of other internationalcarriers. The new policy will help revive the national carrier. Agreementswith International airlines will also be re-evaluated.
“This means that now you can import up to a 30-year-old plane for cargooperations. Previously, you could import only a 12-year-old plane.Passenger aircraft up to 18 years in age can be imported,” Fawad told themedia.
The cabinet has also lifted the restrictions on construction of high risebuildings in the capital. The decision was made after taking both, CDA andPCAA, into confidence. An NOC from CDA will no longer be a requirement forthe construction of high rise buildings in the commercial areas of the city.
CAA will not only lift all charges from flight kitchens but also work onreducing taxes on national destinations. A special grant of Rs. 400,000will be given by CAA to support female pilots in obtaining there licenseand training.
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Taxes and levies have been reduced to zero for aviation services using amaximum of 40-seater airplanes (which includes helicopters) for ferryingpeople to tourist resorts and other areas of tourist interest.
“This will mean that if you start aviation services [to and from areas]like Gilgit Baltistan, Swat and other areas that are earmarked [as touristsites], the CAA will not levy any charges,” he added.
The new visa policy includes visa on arrival for 58 countries and E-visafacilities for several others including China, UK, Malaysia, Turkey andUAE. The government wants to provide improved air transport facilities todomestic tourist destinations to expand Pakistan’s Tourist industry.
