The Senate Standing Committee on Defence was informed on Tuesday that the privatisation process has led to a trend of improved airline performance. Private airlines are taking steps to increase their operational capacity and expand their fleets following the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). A meeting of the Senate standing committee was held under the chairmanship of Talha Mahmood.
The committee reviewed matters related to flight delays, difficulties faced by passengers, current condition of airports, improvements in air connectivity and expansion of air travel facilities in different parts of the country. The secretary of Ministry of Defence briefed the committee on various matters. Briefing was given on the current situation at the Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, increasing delays in flights and reasons behind these delays.
The Civil Aviation Authority Pakistan (CAA Pakistan) apprised the committee of factors contributing to increase in flight delays. Regarding the situation at the Karachi Airport, secretary Ministry of Defence stated factors responsible for the current situation should be reviewed and that relevant issues concerning how the airport reached its present condition needed to be examined. He said measures had been taken to improve the airport.
The secretary Ministry of Defence requested the committee members to undertake a detailed visit to the Karachi Airport, saying senators could inspect the airport and review measures taken for its improvement. He also stated a comparative assessment of airport's previous and current conditions would be presented to the committee. The briefing stated since the aviation sector came under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence on February 4, 2025, various measures had been taken to improve airports and aviation sector.
The secretary informed the committee the number of flights operating to various airports in Balochistan had been increased, while night-flight facilities had also been introduced at several airports. Briefing the committee on reasons for flight delays and cancellations, the secretary stated technical issues were also among contributing factors. He explained a delay involving a single aircraft, or an issue affecting its availability, could have an impact on the entire operational system.
He stated that additional aircraft were expected to be added to the fleets of private airlines soon, with more aircraft likely to be inducted by December. "AirSial, Airblue and other airlines have also taken steps to acquire new aircraft," he added. The secretary said the Peshawar Airport required complete renovation as well as a new terminal building.
Regarding the Gilgit Airport, the committee was informed that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) currently had two ATR aircraft operating for Gilgit. The secretary said the runway and lighting systems at the existing Gilgit Airport had been modernised and renovated. The briefing further said a feasibility study for the establishment of a new greenfield airport on approximately 1,800 acres of land was at an advanced stage.
The secretary said the final site for new airport would be selected in light of committee's recommendations. The committee was informed the privatisation process had resulted in a trend towards improved airline performance. The briefing stated Airblue had expanded its operations and added three to four new aircraft to its fleet.
Airlines were also being encouraged to operate smaller aircraft, including ATR and Embraer aircraft, on regional and short-haul routes. During the meeting, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, who was invited as a special guest, presented various proposals concerning airports and air connectivity in the province. Faisal Karim Kundi said domestic air routes should be reviewed.
He stressed the need for direct air links from Peshawar to Swat and Lahore, saying such connectivity could provide passengers with improved travel facilities. The governor emphasised the need for restoration of Dera Ismail Khan Airport and commencement of commercial flight operations.