April 04, 2024 (MLN): Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has denounced a media report on the relocation of flight operations from Walton Aerodrome, terming it as containing false claims and affirming that the decision was driven by safety concerns rather than any malicious intent.
According to a press statement issued by the authority, the news report discussed a letter that the Aircraft Owners and Operators Association (AOOA) had previously written to a senior government official.
“The letter discussed in the program concocts a fake and baseless story and is a desperate attempt to defame the leadership of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority,” it noted.
To lend context, there were serious safety concerns regarding the continuation of flight operations from Walton Aerodrome.
As a result, it was already proposed to the Federal Government to relocate the training and other operations to a more appropriate location.
The decision to move was prompted by the escalating risks posed by aviation activities to the large commercial and residential areas near Walton Aerodrome.
In 2020/21, the Punjab Government approached the Federal Government to acquire the land of Walton Aerodrome for the establishment of the Lahore Central Business District.
This was a government-to-government transaction undertaken by both the Federal and Provincial Cabinets in the year 2021.
Pursuant to this, the Federal government directed the PCAA to transfer the land to the Lahore Central Business District Development Authority of the Punjab Government.
Both the Federal and Punjab Governments jointly approved this project wherein 52% of ownership is with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and 48% with the Punjab Government/ Central Business District Development Authority.
It was in these circumstances that the land of the former Walton Aerodrome was transferred to the Central Business District Development Authority of the Punjab.
The Central Business District Development Authority is responsible for the development and execution of the project.
On the other hand, PCAA has purchased 480 acres of land in Muridke from the Punjab Government to establish a new General Aviation Aerodrome which is near completion.
“It is evident that the author of the letter/news item is trying to manipulate people into believing his concocted story, with some apparent malafide and malicious motives,” the press statement highlighted.
According to the authority, the news report was aired/published without seeking a stance/ version of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority against the well-settled norms of journalism.
“The PCAA does its best in maintaining and enhancing the civil aviation safety standards, and strives to ensure that all aspects of air travel within Pakistan adhere to the highest safety protocols within the framework of the International Civil Aviation Organization,” it concluded.
Copyright Mettis Link News
Posted on: 2024-04-04T13:03:47+05:00
