Pakistani managers receive training at Hainan airport

Management training provided recently for people who will work at the New Gwadar International Airport in Pakistan is expected to foster greater collaboration in the aviation sector with China.

The course, which was taught in Haikou, Hainan province, trained 20 senior managers from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority.

"It provided a comprehensive understanding of airport operations, Chinese aeronautical regulations, airport management, aviation safety, aircraft maintenance, security and logistics," said Subhash Chader, senior assistant director of communication, navigation and surveillance in the electronics engineering division of the PCAA.

Muhammad Qayyam Khalid, senior deputy director of the authority's commercial development and cargo operations, said: "The technological innovation and infrastructure at Hainan's airports are a testament to the province's remarkable progress in recent decades. The unique architecture of the airports reflects careful planning and design to meet the needs of travelers."

Luo Ning, a representative from the international support center at the ground service department of Haikou Meilan International Airport, said the course facilitated mutual exchange among airports. He said he hoped the gathering would spark continued communication, in-depth discussions and ongoing progress toward deeper learning opportunities and mutual empowerment.

Huang Mengling, the operations control supervisor of the terminal management department at Haikou Meilan International Airport, highlighted how such interactions not only provided valuable insights on airport construction to countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, but also served as a precious experience in promoting the integration and development of diverse cultures.

"Through sincere sharing and mutual assistance, a cultural exchange and integration bridge has been established, laying a solid foundation for future cooperative development," she said.

During the training course, participants visited Hainan Free Trade Port's one-stop aircraft maintenance industrial base to explore potential cooperation opportunities with Pakistan in related industries.

With a total investment of about 1.62 billion yuan ($223 million) and a footprint of about 15 hectares, the one-stop maintenance base aims to leverage the policy advantages of the port to capture more of the aircraft maintenance market. It aims to become a high-level, intelligent, one-stop aircraft maintenance platform serving the global market.

Khalid said Pakistan and Hainan can collaborate on aircraft maintenance services, leveraging the province's expertise and facilities to support Pakistani airline companies.

The New Gwadar International Airport in Pakistan, built with Chinese aid, is one of the pivotal projects under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is part of the BRI.