ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is planning to establish the nation’s first ever MRO facility as per EASA standards, and officials have described it as a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s aviation industry. This EASA MRO facility will be developed at Islamabad International Airport as part of the Ministry of Defence’s Aviation Sector Transformation Program, but already people in the industry are wondering about the viability of such a plan in view of Pakistan’s history of large projects.

The Private Operator Steps Up to the Plates

Nortec, a private aviation services company, will manage the development of the EASA MRO facility, stepping up to a job much bigger than maintenance. Nortec's role encompasses building an up-to-date aircraft maintenance hangar, as well as a flight simulator for pilots, both situated at Islamabad Airport. Entrusting a private operator with a project of this magnitude is a shift away from Pakistan’s typical state-centric approach to aviation projects.

The Actual Functions of the EASA MRO Facility

Upon establishment, the EASA MRO facility will conduct the maintenance and repairs of aircraft like the Airbus A318 and A319, along with other commercial aircrafts that currently make flights within Pakistani air space. According to the officials, the facility hopes to lessen the dependency of Pakistan upon foreign maintenance facilities that it currently has, thus increasing the cost and time factor for domestic airlines.

Current domestic airlines flying Airbus and other similar aircrafts send their fleet of aircraft to other countries for inspections which not only results in the loss of foreign currency but also grounds the airplanes for a longer period of time. However, even if the facility opens up in time, the EASA certification takes several years to achieve.The Actual Functions of the EASA MRO Facility

A Separate Hangar for Airblue’s Projects

Parallel to this, Pakistan's national airline, Airblue, is setting up another hangar facility for its maintenance activities at Islamabad International Airport. The purpose of the hangar would be to protect aircrafts, maintenance workers, engineering and maintenance machinery from rough weather conditions.

Airblue is developing a Flight Training Center with Full Flight Simulator, which is expected to become operational in April 2027. These two aviation infrastructure projects under simultaneous development at the same airport suggest ambitious moves on the part of Airblue.

ALSO READ: UAE and Kuwait Flight Disruptions Hit Emirates, Etihad and Air Arabia

Regulatory Oversight and Administrative Backing

For both projects, regulatory oversight will be the domain of the PCAA while administrative support will be handled by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA). It is contended that this two-tier system will ensure that the projects remain in line with international standards of quality and safety, which is a requirement for EASA approval.

A Push towards a Regional Aviation Hub

It is hoped that the above projects, led by the establishment of the EASA MRO facility, will help turn the Islamabad International Airport into a regional aviation hub.

The only question that comes to mind is whether Pakistan will be able to deliver the EASA MRO facility in time and whether Nortec and Airblue will be able to build their own facilities without falling prey to delays seen in other infrastructure projects in the country.