Daily Times

Sir: While PTI government has shown keen interest in boosting commercial aviation and promote tourism in Pakistan. But airports in Pakistan like Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar airports etc are increasingly under threats of rising bird hazard, jeopardizing safety of aircraft and passengers.

The rise in number of incidents where bird hits have damaged aircraft engines is costing airlines millions of dollars. The ensuing disruption in schedules further escalates losses and inconvenience to passengers who pay to travel on time and not to suffer numerous adverse consequences of needless delays.

Recently Lahore runway was closed for over three hours when flock of eagles invaded active airport airspace, forcing seven flights to divert costing airlines millions and inconvenience to passengers. It is taxes from airlines and passengers which pay salaries to CAA, ASF etc making it obligatory upon them to ensure that flight safety is ensured.

While ICAO recommends that 15 Km periphery around active runways be free of obstructions and housing colonies, every airport in Pakistan has become ideal choice of powerful vested interests to launch housing societies, marriage halls, restaurants, clubs etc. The food waste attracts birds.

When Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore was built at new location, there were no housing society was approved. It is conflicts of interest of executives in CAA who gave NOC to powerful groups. When Regulatory Agencies like CAA and security force like ASF get involved in commercial ventures, then basic regulatory function and security becomes a casualty. Use by ASF of a copy of ADE 651, declared fake all over the world, is criminal. The area in vicinity of new Islamabad Airport which has cost this poor country almost Rs 100 billion has also fallen prey to greed of real estate mafia of this country.

MT ALI

Lahore