USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Team Visits Airports of Islamabad and Karachi

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USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Team Visits Airports of Islamabad and Karachi

Post by Abbas Ali »

According to news sources:

USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) team is due to visit Islamabad International Airport next month. PIA has been seeking clearance from US authorities to operate non-stop flights from Pakistan to New York.

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Re: USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to Visit Islamabad Airport

Post by GEnx »

Source: https://www.incpak.com/business/pia-to- ... -new-york/
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has invited the Transport Security Administration (TSA) team of USA to have Islamabad Airport security cleared for direct operations to US.

They will be arriving in Islamabad on July 17 & 18th, 2019.

In the past none of the Pakistani airports were cleared by TSA, which is why PIA had to use mid-point TSA cleared airports Manchester or Barcelona to operate to the US. This drove up operations costs exorbitantly and PIA has to suspend flights to USA in October 2017.

With the New Islamabad International Airport and beefed up security apparatus at Islamabad (shifting resources from other parts of the country), PIA will be working with TSA to get clearance for New Islamabad Airport to start direct operations to the US.

What will this mean for the Pakistani diaspora? A direct flight, only a 16 hour journey, without the hassle of hours and hours of lay overs at airports and hassle for changing terminals!! Currently, passengers have to use other airlines that make a stop at their hubs, resulting in some flights taking more that 24 hours to reach the US!

There is a lot of pressure on PIA from the Pakistani origin citizen, families, especially the elderly to start this direct route and PIA is listening to them. Inside sources in PIA have shared that the PIA management is working closely and actively with the US Embassy in Islamabad and US Consul General of Karachi to coordinate the TSA team’s visit to Pakistan. The US departments have gone out of the way to pay a big role in speedy inspection and restoring direct flights between the two countries. This surely an indication of improving bilateral ties and a key step in confidence-building measures.

It is worth mentioning here that a French Team representing the travel authorities also inspected CAA, ASF and PIA facilities and security procedures at Islamabad. They could not come up with single observation for PIA, proving that it is hundred percent complying with international standards. Similarly, the Department of Transport of UK has cleared Sialkot PIA Operations with a three years license, a show of confidence because normally they have issued only two years clearances before.

PIA had been operating to the US since 1961, the first carrier of the region to connect the USA with Mainland China and the Far East. In fact PIA ordered Boeing 777 LRs (Long Range) aircraft in the late 90s to fly directly on this route, however, with post 9/11 security situation and security infrastructure at Pakistani airports, PIA was not allowed to operate directly resulting in heavy losses to the national airline. With the TSA visit just around the corner, it looks like PIA will be reopening the direct flight to the USA very soon!
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Re: USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to Visit Islamabad Airport

Post by Omairi7 »

I am trying to find any authentic source on this TSA team visit but so far nothing came out from US media. If any one has the links please share.

If TSA team will visit, the real challenge begins for new ISB airport. Facilities like DXB and DOH airports need to be organized especially for US bound flights as per my understanding.
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Re: USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to Visit Islamabad Airport

Post by ShahMt777 »

https://onemileatatime.com/pakistan-air ... s-flights/


In October 2017, Pakistan International Airlines stopped flying to New York, which was their only destination in the US at the time. The airline had flown to the US for over 50 years, and over time flew to New York, Chicago, and Houston.

The airline was allegedly losing about 12 million USD per year flying to the US, and that’s in spite of the fact that the route only operated twice per week. PIA was no doubt at a disadvantage in many ways:

Their onboard product was outdated, with angled seats in business class
The airline wasn’t able to operate nonstop flights to the US due to safety reasons, so the flight had to fly from Pakistan to Manchester to New York, with passengers being rescreened in Manchester
Fares on the “big three” Gulf carriers are often quite reasonable between Pakistan and the US, so the yields weren’t great

I had the chance to fly from Manchester to New York in PIA business class, and had an interesting flight.


The thing about “national airlines” flying to New York is that while it’s something that is often done for prestige, in reality it’s rarely a money maker. For example, last year Kenya Airways started flying to New York, which they described as a “game changer.” Just a few months after launching the route, Kenya Airways’ CEO said “there is nothing lucrative about flying to New York.”

And that brings us back to Pakistan Airlines…

This March, PIA announced their intentions to once again offer service to the US. This time they want to fly nonstop, though, as they said that operating via any third point makes the flight economics unviable.


The company’s CEO pointed out that they’ve improved greatly when it comes to safety, and with the opening of the new Islamabad Airport, a lot more aviation authorities have faith in the safety of the airport. For example, British Airways is even resuming flights to Islamabad.



Anyway, PIA asked for the help of the US in facilitating these flights, and it looks like that’s one step closer to being a reality. It’s now being reported that representatives from the US Transportation Security Administration will be in Islamabad on July 17 & 18 to audit the airport, in hopes of getting approval for nonstop flights to the US.
Bottom line

It’s great to see the positive impacts of the new Islamabad Airport, in particular with British Airways launching flights there. While I hope that Pakistan is successful with their security audits, I still think there’s little merit to nonstop flights to the US.

Sure, there’s demand, but most of it is fairly low yield. Operating a flight this long with an outdated 777 just doesn’t seem like a recipe for making money.

Do you think PIA will follow through with nonstop flights to the US, should they get clearance from the US?

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Re: USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to Visit Islamabad Airport

Post by arshad.altaf »

Lets hope that TSA goes back satisfied with the security arrangements in an around the airport premises. Let us also hope that Islamabad authorities will be able to satisfactorily answer questions about the vast open plains surrounding the new airport and measures taken by them to ensure security and what not. The point about using such dated 777s for a long haul flight is very valid and raises a lot of ifs and buts. In the past two weeks I had the chance to travel in at least two different 777s between Karachi and Islamabad and in both the planes at least one lavatory was non functional and sealed with a sticker saying 'out of order'.

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Re: USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to Visit Islamabad Airport

Post by Omairi7 »

TSA visit is not the final decision for opening non stop route.
They will share the report with their home department and security agencies and then final verdict will be released.
InshaALLAH new Islamabad airport will be able to satisfy the TSA team regarding security and screening.

Yes our planes are bit older but seats and inflights are more then worst for long hauls. I guess they need to upgrade the planes or leased newer planes which can fly 14 hrs non stop with better amenities.
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Re: USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to Visit Islamabad Airport

Post by ba260 »

I rather fly Via 1 stop connection in Middle East or with BA, As i can earn mileage points, plus after 14 plus hour flight I rather take long lay over, sleep, shower, then arrive in Pakistan at 7 am versus arriving at 2 am.
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Re: USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to Visit Islamabad Airport

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USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Homeland Security teams visited Islamabad International Airport on July 15.

Saudi Arabia's "Makkah Route" immigration counters for Hajj pilgrims and airport's security cameras system was also shown to American. The team will visit Islamabad Airport on July 16 also.

On July 18, the US team will visit Karachi Airport, PIA Headquarters and also Airports Security Force (ASF) Headquarters.

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Re: USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to Visit Islamabad Airport

Post by Abbas Ali »

‘No imminent plan’ for Pak-US direct flights

SHAFQAT ALI July 17, 2019

ISLAMABAD -
There are no imminent plans for direct flights between Pakistan and the United States, said a US embassy statement yesterday.

This week, officials from the Transportation Security Administration, the US government agency that oversees airport and air carrier security, travelled to Pakistan.

“They visited Islamabad’s new airport, viewed Pakistan’s aviation security infrastructure, and met with their Pakistani civil aviation counterparts,” said a US embassy statement.

“During the visit to the Islamabad airport, representatives from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Aviation highlighted the airport’s security features. This visit was not a formal inspection, audit, or assessment of any specific airport and there are no imminent plans for direct flights between Pakistan and the United States,” said the statement.

Speaking of his interactions in Pakistan, TSA Regional Director Jason Schwabel noted: “Secure international air travel is essential to facilitate trade and connections. We look forward to deepening our relationship with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority as we explore additional areas of cooperation.”

The trip was organized as part of the US Mission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen economic ties between the US and Pakistan and enhance regional connectivity.

In October 2017, Pakistan International Airlines stopped flying to New York, which was their only destination in the US at the time. The airline had flown to the US for over 50 years, and over time flew to New York, Chicago, and Houston.

The airline was allegedly losing about $12 million per year flying to the US in spite of the fact that the route only operated twice per week.

PIA was at a disadvantage in many ways. Their onboard product was outdated, with angled seats in business class. The airline was not able to operate nonstop flights to the US due to safety reasons, so the flight had to fly from Pakistan to Manchester to New York, with passengers being rescreened in Manchester.

Source: The Nation
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Re: USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to Visit Islamabad Airport

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U.S. Officials Visit New Islamabad Airport, Direct Flights Not Imminent

Islamabad, July 16, 2019 –
Officials from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the U.S. Government agency that oversees airport and air carrier security, traveled to Pakistan this week. They visited Islamabad’s new airport, viewed Pakistan’s aviation security infrastructure, and met with their Pakistani civil aviation counterparts. During the visit to the Islamabad airport, representatives from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and the Ministry of Aviation highlighted the airport’s security features. This visit was not a formal inspection, audit, or assessment of any specific airport and there are no imminent plans for direct flights between Pakistan and the United States.

Speaking of his interactions in Pakistan, TSA Regional Director Jason Schwabel noted, “Secure international air travel is essential to facilitate trade and connections. We look forward to deepening our relationship with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority as we explore additional areas of cooperation.”

The trip was organized as part of the U.S. Mission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen economic ties between the United States and Pakistan and enhance regional connectivity.

Source: U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan.
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Re: USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to Visit Islamabad Airport

Post by Omairi7 »

I guess PM visit to USA will be the ideal time to discuss this thing with trump administration about allowing direct air access between pakistan and usa. Hopefully some positive news will definitly comes up in the TSA team's visit to Isb and Khi.
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Re: USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Team Visits Airports of Islamabad and Karachi

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USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) team visited Karachi Airport on July 18. Airport's scanning machines, immigration counters and security arrangements/system were observed by the American team. The US team also received briefing on full body scanners installed at the airport.

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TSA team member himself going through screening process/security checks.

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Re: USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Team Visits Airports of Islamabad and Karachi

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PIA set to kick off direct flights to US

By Usman Hanif

Published: July 19, 2019

KARACHI:
Amid a marked improvement in the relationship between Pakistan and the US, ahead of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Washington next week, Islamabad has geared up to take direct flights to New York for the first time in the country’s history.

“US security officials visited the Islamabad airport and expressed concern over direct flights to the US, which has been addressed,” revealed Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan at a press conference at the SQMS Auditorium, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) headquarters on Thursday.

“Flights are expected to begin after the upcoming prime minister’s visit to the US,” he said.

In October 2017, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had closed flights to New York via Manchester.

“Operating the entire long flight with a stopover was not economically viable for the airline, therefore, we decided to close the route,” said PIA spokesperson Mashhood Tajwar.

In early 2006, PIA acquired the world’s longest range commercial airliner Boeing 777-200LR, according to the Boeing website. On February 25, 2006, the aircraft flew to Manchester, England where it picked passengers before flying to Islamabad.

Following this, PIA started its longest flight from Karachi to Toronto, which is still in operation. However, the country’s airlines could not start direct flights to the US as Washington had security concerns.

The US demanded that Pakistan flights come via the transit destinations it trusted like Manchester or any destination in Europe for transit security checks.

“Boeing 777-200LR is the premium aircraft for long-haul flights and if operated on short routes, it does not yield desired results,” said the spokesperson.

When a flight is operated through a transit destination, it bears an additional cost as it has to pay extra airport charges and ground-handling charges. One flight is counted as one engine cycle and after a particular number of flights the aircraft goes for routine checks, which is another liability.

Source: tribune.com.pk
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Re: USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Team Visits Airports of Islamabad and Karachi

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Passengers' security clearance will be done at Pakistani airport and immigration at airport in USA, according to Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan.



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Re: US Consul General Meets CEO PIA in Karachi - Resumption of PIA Flights for USA Discussed

Post by Abbas Ali »

PIA will start non-stop flights from Pakistan to USA soon after getting clearance from the US authorities/agencies, says airline's CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik.

USA's Transportation Security Administration (TSA) team is due to visit Pakistan again.

https://urdu.arynews.tv/ceo-pia-air-mar ... hts-to-us/

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