All relief flights exempted from landing charges - CAA

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All relief flights exempted from landing charges

KARACHI (October 13 2005): The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has exempted all flights from landing charges at all airports in the country which are bringing in humanitarian aid from donor countries and agencies.

Besides, Islamabad Airport has been made focal point of CAA Co-ordination, as nearly all relief flights bringing passengers and rescue aid will terminate there.

IN THIS REGARD FOLLOWING ACTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN:

a) A camp office of HQCAA was established at Islamabad Airport manned by A/OGCAA and Director Ops.

b) A Co-ordination Cell was activated in AT Directorate in HQCAA to issue prompt clearance to all international flights bringing relief goods, passengers and rescue teams.

c) A Co-ordination Cell was created at Islamabad Airport to co-ordinate with Army Aviation, PAF, immigration authorities, ASF and all other agencies participating in relief operation.

d) Appropriate arrangements were made at Lahore and Islamabad to accord priority to relief flights.

e) All relief flights were exempted from landing and housing charges.

f) Additional fuel supply was co-ordinated with Attock Oil Refinery, PSO and Shell for availability of sufficient fuel for relief flights.

g) PIAC chairman was requested that PIAC aircraft should arrive in Islamabad with maximum fuel to minimise the fuel uplift from Islamabad. This was complied by PIA.

h) Co-ordination was made with foreign office and immigration, ASF, Army and PAF authorities for efficient relief operations.

Special Civil Aviation Counters with banners were provided at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad Airports to facilitate victims of earthquake.

FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL ACTION WERE TAKEN AT ISLAMABAD AIRPORT TO EXPEDITE PASSENGER AND RELIEF GOODS FLOW:

i) Additional terminals to immigration staff was provided to enable them prompt clearance for issuance of visa on arrival. Deputy Director FIA was also requested to allocate additional manpower for this purpose.

ii) Adequate number of porters/labourers were provided to sort baggage of relief teams for onward dispatch to affected areas.

iii) A joint National Crisis Management and UN Co-ordination Cell was arranged in International Arrival Lounge to facilitate the relief operation.

iv) A special counter was provided in the International Arrival Lounge for British High Commission to facilitate passengers having Pakistani/British Nationality.