The Civil Aviation Authority has clarified that the new aviation policy 2015 was not responsible for the PIA losses, saying that this statement is baseless and contrary to facts. He said that the new aviation policy 2015 was issued after due deliberation and after taking all the stakeholders on board. It provides free market for all private, national and foreign airlines and was in no way designed and formulated to harm the interests of the national flag carrier.

The CAA spokesman said the new policy is beneficial to passengers and induces a healthy sense of competition amongst the aviation fraternity. It provides tax breaks and no taxation on aviation related spare parts which has a positive impact on the growth in aviation sector, he added. He said the losses at PIA could be attributed to its internal issues, lack of efficiency and management and has nothing to do with the policy.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017