Pakistan plans first EASA-approved aircraft maintenance hub at Islamabad Airport

Dhaka: Pakistan is moving to establish its first European Union-certified aircraft maintenance facility at Islamabad International Airport, aiming to reduce dependence on overseas maintenance providers while strengthening the country's aviation engineering and pilot training capabilities.

The new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility, being developed by private aviation company NORTEK under the Ministry of Defense's Aviation Sector Transformation Program, will seek certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Once operational, the center will provide base maintenance and component support for Airbus A318, A319, A320, and A321 aircraft.

Officials said, as per reports, the project is expected to save foreign exchange, create skilled jobs and boost Pakistan's local aviation maintenance industry.

Separately, private carrier Airblue is constructing an EASA-compliant aircraft maintenance hangar at Islamabad airport to support its engineering operations. The hangar may also provide maintenance services to other airlines operating Airbus A320-family aircraft.

Airblue is also developing a Flight Training Center equipped with a full-flight simulator and modern training facilities, with completion targeted for April 2027. The center will offer type-rating and recurrent training for pilots, helping address the country's shortage of aviation professionals while reducing the need for costly overseas training.

Authorities expect the combined projects to transform Islamabad International Airport into a regional hub for aircraft maintenance, engineering services, regulatory compliance and advanced pilot training. The initiative forms part of Pakistan's broader strategy to modernize its aviation sector and strengthen domestic technical capabilities.