Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is a public sector autonomous body working under the Federal Government of Pakistan through Aviation Division Cabinet Secretariat. CAA was established on 7th December, 1982 through Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority ordinance 1982. Prior to creation of CAA, a Civil Aviation Department (CAD) in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) used to manage the Civil Aviation related activities. Ministry of Defence (MoD) continued to be the controlling Ministry even after creation of CAA on 7th December, 1982. However, in June, 2013, Government of Pakistan assigned this responsibility to Cabinet Secretariat (Aviation Division).

The purpose of establishing CAA is to provide for the promotion and regulations of Civil Aviation activities and to develop an infrastructure for safe, efficient, adequate, economical and properly coordinated Civil Air Transport Service in Pakistan.

The day of 7th December has significance, as it coincides with the date of creation of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 1944 as a result of the famous Chicago Convention. Incidentally, the United Nations have declared 7th December as the International Civil Aviation day and celebrated as such every year all over the world.

CAA not only plays the role of the aviation regulator of the country but at the same time performs the service provider functions of Air Navigation Services and Airport Services. The core functions of CAA are therefore, ‘Regulatory’, ‘Air Navigation Services’ and ‘Airport Services’. These core functions are fully supported by various corporate functions of the organization. The Headquarters of CAA is located at Karachi.

The restructuring process undertaken in CAA between 2006 and 2010 has enabled the Organization to meet the requirements of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). During the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP) ICAO audited Pakistan in June, 2011 and rated Pakistan as about 83% compliant against the world average of 65%.

The general direction and administration of CAA and its affairs vest in CAA Board which exercises all powers, performs all functions and does all acts and things that need to be exercised, performed or done by the Authority. The Chairman CAA Board is the Secretary of the Division to which the affairs of the Authority are allocated. Presently, it is the Secretary Aviation. CAA Executive Eommittee is the highest decision making body of the Organization. It exercises such administrative, executive, financial and technical powers as delegated to it by the Authority. DGCAA is the Chairman of CAA Executive Committee. The Federal Government appoints the Director General who is the Executive head of CAA and exercises such powers and performs such functions as may be specified in CAA ordinance or delegated to him by the CAA Board from time to time. The CAA Board is assisted by CAA HR Committee and CAA Audit Committee. CAA Quality Council headed by DGCAA and comprising of Dy. DGCAA, all Principal Directors and Directors sets the macro level objectives and tasks/targets of the organization and oversees the organizational drive in pursuit of its vision and mission, adherence to the core values and CAA’s Endeavour to achieve the International Management System Standards.

Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority would continue to ensure distinct separation of regulatory functions from the service provider functions, strengthen all the three core functions and achieve, comply and exceed the requirements/standards set by ICAO and International Management System Standards through continued focus on the change process to enable achievement of the transformation as envisaged.