The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Officers Association has raised concerns over the poor cleanliness and maintenance of Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, terming it a violation of international standards.
In a letter addressed to the Director General of the Pakistan Airports Authority and the Director General of Civil Aviation, the association highlighted the lack of proper maintenance at the airport, including over 100 neglected trees that have withered due to of mismanagement, Express News reported.
The letter also highlighted piles of trash in airport parking areas, despite contractors paying millions for maintenance.
“Despite significant expenditure, the airport does not meet international cleanliness standards, tarnishing the image of the Airports Authority,” the letter said.
The association also highlighted chewing tobacco stains on the airport premises, further highlighting the neglect of cleanliness protocols.
Passengers coming from domestic and international destinations have frequently raised complaints about the poor condition of facilities, including unclean toilets, the letter added.
The association called for immediate action to resolve these issues and restore the airport’s reputation.
A copy of the letter has been sent to senior CAA officials for further review.
Additionally, Jinnah International Airport is also grappling with a growing stray dog problem, with reports of dogs now roaming near the airport’s main entrances, exits and parking lots.
According to sources, the stray dogs were initially confined to the tarmac and general aviation areas. However, their presence has expanded to critical passenger areas, raising serious security concerns, Express News reported.
Passengers have reported incidents of dogs attacking vehicles and creating chaos near the terminal.
“The situation worsens at night when the internal parking lot becomes a haven for stray dogs,” said an airport official.
The Karachi Airport Authority has reportedly contacted Edhi officials for help in controlling the problem.
The presence of stray dogs on airport premises violates international civil aviation safety standards, potentially endangering flight operations and passenger safety.
Efforts to curb the problem have so far been inadequate, leaving travelers increasingly frustrated. Airport officials are urged to take immediate and effective measures to resolve the crisis.
