Pakistan has outsourced the operations of Islamabad airport in a bid to improve service delivery and generate foreign exchange reserves. The outsourcing is part of a wider restructuring effort by the government to improve the country’s aviation sector.
The outsourcing of Islamabad airport is the first phase of a two-phase plan. The second phase will see the outsourcing of Jinnah International Airport Karachi and Lahore airport. The government has said that no CAA employee will face unemployment due to the restructuring efforts.
The minister of aviation, Khawaja Saad Rafique, has said that the outsourcing of Islamabad airport will help to improve service delivery in line with best industry practices. He has also said that the outsourcing will generate foreign exchange reserves for the country’s ailing economy.
The minister has also reiterated the need to restructure Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). He has said that if immediate reforms are not adopted, the deficit at PIA may escalate further, which could result in the shutdown of the national flag carrier.
PIA has been struggling financially for several years. The airline has accumulated a debt of over Rs. 80 billion. The government has said that it is committed to restructuring PIA and making it a profitable entity.
The outsourcing of Islamabad airport is a significant step in the government’s efforts to improve the country’s aviation sector. The outsourcing is expected to help to improve service delivery, generate foreign exchange reserves, and restructure PIA.