Islamabad, Feb 9: French Ambassador to Pakistan, Nicolas Galey, recently led a high-level delegation to the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) headquarters, marking a significant step towards strengthening collaboration between France and Pakistan in aviation infrastructure and technology. Ambassador Galey, accompanied by Consul General Alexis Chahtahtinsky, met with PAA Director General, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Zeeshan Saeed, to discuss potential areas of cooperation within Pakistan’s rapidly developing aviation sector.
During the meeting, the delegation was briefed on the PAA’s strategic vision following its recent separation from the Civil Aviation Authority. Key topics explored included the introduction of advanced e-gate systems for enhanced passenger security and convenience, as well as the implementation of Required Navigation Performance Authorization Required (RNP AR) approaches to improve accessibility to airports in Pakistan’s northern regions, known for their challenging topography.
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A major focus of the discussions was the future of Pakistan’s airport operations. The PAA is considering outsourcing airport management to enhance service quality, and the French delegation expressed interest in supporting these initiatives. Additionally, the operationalization of the New Gwadar International Airport was highlighted, with Ambassador Galey reaffirming France’s commitment to assisting Pakistan in the development of its aviation infrastructure.
AVM Zeeshan Saeed emphasized the significant role French aviation companies could play in Pakistan’s airport projects, noting that international partnerships would be key to the sector’s future growth. The meeting concluded with the exchange of traditional souvenirs, symbolizing the long-standing diplomatic and cooperative ties between France and Pakistan in the aviation industry.
