Rawalpindi: The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has not renewed the licenses of over 130 pilots, rendering them unable to operate aircraft, as reported on Tuesday by the Aircraft Owners along with Operators Association Pakistan (AOOA).
The AOOA stated in a news release released here that the PCAA will not be extending the licenses of these pilots who are grounded.
It required the relevant authorities to change the Civil Aviation Act, 2023, which has an impact on the aviation sector.
The aviation sector, according to the AOOA, does not accept the Civil Aviation Act, 2023, which was passed by the last assembly because it is being abused.
On the other hand, the PCAA asserted that the process of renewing a pilot’s license is still in place and that all applicable laws and regulations are being closely followed in this regard.
“The process for acquiring or extending a pilot’s license is still ongoing. The PCAA asserted that all current regulations are closely followed while issuing or renewing licenses.
The AOOA announced that it is working on changes to the new law and would present it to the parliament’s aviation committee.
It stated that 130 pilot licenses were waiting to be renewed, but PCAA officials are unsure of who will sign the paperwork.
According to the AOOA, all authority has been given to the PCAA director general, and all other pertinent departments have been placed on the back burner.
The PCAA DG is rarely in Karachi to handle PCAA matters because he spends the most of his time in Islamabad.
According to the group, the new act gives the federal government complete ability to name a non-technocrat and non-professional DG, opening the door for a jack of all crafts to take the position.
However, a PCAA representative stated that the process for getting or renewing a pilot’s license continues in compliance with the guidelines specified in the CAA Act, 2023.
The spokesperson went on to state that the present rules are closely followed while issuing licenses and renewing them. The assertion that pilots cannot fly or that the process of issuing or renewing their licenses has been halted is untrue, he said.
According to him, local airlines are able to employ international pilots because PCAA regulations allow them to do so. Foreign pilots receive a validation certificate and a work visa after being given the all-clear by the ministry.
