GCAA updates air service agreement with Pakistan

The two-day negotiation between both parties resulted in signing an updated Air Service Agreement between both States. HE Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general, GCAA, signed on the agreement on behalf of UAE, and HE Amjad Ali Toor, Additional Secretary, Aviation Divisio, signed on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The signing ceremony was also attended by H.E Isa Basha Al Noaimi, UAE ambassador to Pakistan. 

The ASA allows open skies approach on new points in Pakistan including Quetta, Turban, Gwadar, Panjgur as well as increased passenger capacity to Karachi, Faisalabad, Multan and Sialkot. 

Saif Al Suwaidi, director general, GCAA, stressed the importance of this updated agreement which will contribute to boost trade, tourism and investment between UAE and Pakistan. 

During his visit, Al Suwaidi toured the new airport in Islamabad which will be inaugurated in the second half on 2016 with a capacity to handle 50 million passengers.   

Laila Ali Bin Hareb Al Muhairi, assistant of director general of strategy and international affair, GCAA, said that UAE ranks 2nd internationally on term of Open Skies agreements. “United Arab Emirates is driven more than ever to continue its international collaboration in air transport and shall continue its far-reaching and sound advances toward opening and liberating skies with countries of the world,” she added. 

Capt. Kahlid Humaid Al Ali, director of Air Transport Department, GCAA, said this agreement meets the expectations of UAE carriers and is beneficial for both States.