Pakistan to resume aviation collaboration services to SL
*By Muhammad Yasir *
KARACHI: Pakistan will resume provision of collaboration services to Sri Lankan airports with its advanced aircrafts system after a gap of two years, official sources in the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) told.
Sources told Daily Times the aviation authority is likely to conduct its commercial operations in Sri Lanka from October to September this year.
The defense ministries of two countries have signed their contracts a couple of months ago to continue their services trade, official told. However the schedule and other terms of services have yet to be decided by the aviation authorities of two countries through their ministry, they added.
According to the contract signed by S Lanaka, CAA will update the airport communication systems, landing, navigation and visual aids, for safe operation of air traffic as per the guidelines defined by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). These systems direct the landing and flying positions to pilots who arrive and depart from an airport.
The ICAO recommends every country to test all its communication, navigational, visual landing and other safety systems in accordance with a given time schedule in order to regulate air traffic with the minimum risk of any accident.
CAA officials added that all the financial costs and services charges will be negotiated by the two authorities in the coming months on the behalf of respective ministries.
Sri Lanka has only one international airport in Colombo named Bandaranaike International Airport. More than two dozens of international airlines operate international flights from here to various routes. Also, it has 13 domestic airports located in different cities.
Official sources further said that the CAA crew will collaborate with airport of Sri Lanka.
Earlier, Pakistan suspended rendering of airport collaboration services due to the unavailability of required aircraft and its system. However, it has become able to provide these services after acquisition of two new collaboration aircraft recently. Besides, Pakistan also provides airport collaboration services to Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan in the region.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
That is great. Pakistan must do everything possible to assist other friendly nations in the region, and strengthen the ties. Sri Lanka and Pakistan cooperation has already yielded fruits, but more must be done to ensure a long lasting strategic partnership that serves to benefit both nations in all fields.