In a significant move, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Nadir Shafi Dar, announced plans to export trained Pakistani pilots to meet the growing demand of international airlines. During a press briefing, Dar highlighted the regional shortage of cockpit pilots and revealed that the CAA has already begun efforts to address this gap.
Dar explained that while Pakistan’s aviation industry is currently producing enough pilots for domestic airline needs, the surplus will be offered to foreign carriers. Two international companies have already expressed interest in the initiative, with one having commenced Phase 1 of the project. This phase involves ground training at an academy in Sharjah, where selected Pakistani candidates are trained for practical flight experience.
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Eight pilots who completed the program have already started working with private airlines in Pakistan. Under a new plan, the CAA has finalized agreements with companies to provide a full range of training from initial cockpit lessons to commercial pilot certification. These agreements also guarantee employment for the trainees with commercial airlines upon completing the program.
To further boost pilot training, the CAA is working on establishing training academies within Pakistan, with plans to finance promising candidates. Dar encouraged local flying clubs to expand their capacity to meet the growing demand for skilled pilots.
“This initiative will greatly enhance the growth of Pakistan’s aviation industry,” said Dar. However, he noted that the high cost of initial training, ranging between Rs100 million and Rs150 million, remains a challenge.
