Pakistan Seeks $10 Billion US Reserve Support Facility
July 23, 2026
Pakistan will open its first EASA‑approved MRO, plus a hangar and full‑flight simulator at Islamabad, cutting overseas costs, creating skilled jobs and boosting pilot training by 2027.
Pakistan is moving to reduce its reliance on overseas aviation services with plans to establish the country’s first European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)‑approved Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Islamabad International Airport. The project is part of the Ministry of Defence’s Aviation Sector Transformation Programme and aims to strengthen domestic engineering and training capabilities.
Private aviation services provider NORTEK will develop the specialised MRO, with administrative support from the Pakistan Airports Authority and regulatory oversight by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. Once certified by EASA, the centre will perform base maintenance and component support for Airbus A318, A319, A320 and A321 family aircraft.
Officials expect the facility to conserve foreign exchange by cutting the need to send aircraft abroad for heavy maintenance. “This will enable airlines to carry out heavy maintenance within Pakistan instead of relying on overseas facilities,” a government source told reporters, underscoring both cost and operational advantages.
Separately, Airblue Limited is building a covered maintenance hangar at Islamabad Airport that conforms to EASA standards and will provide all‑weather protection for aircraft and technical teams. The hangar will support Airblue’s in‑house engineering and could offer services to other carriers operating Airbus A320‑family jets, officials said.
To tackle a chronic pilot shortfall, Airblue is also developing a Flight Training Centre with a full‑flight simulator, tentatively scheduled for completion in April 2027. The centre will include advanced simulators and modern classrooms for type‑rating and recurrent training, helping to reduce the expense and disruption of sending pilots overseas for qualifications.
Industry analysts say the combined projects could transform Islamabad International into a regional maintenance and training hub. “These initiatives will create skilled employment opportunities and expand Pakistan’s indigenous aviation engineering capabilities,” an aviation analyst commented, pointing to potential regional demand for certified maintenance work.
The projects, overseen under the defence ministry programme, align regulatory, infrastructure and private sector investment to bolster safety standards and operational self‑reliance. If EASA approval is secured, Pakistan would join a small list of countries in the region with European‑certified MRO capabilities, potentially attracting business from neighbouring carriers and enhancing the country’s aviation competitiveness.
