About CATI
History of CAA in Pakistan
Pakistan was created on 14th August 1947. In the same year, Pakistan ratified ICAO protocols and became a member of ICAO. A Department of Civil Aviation within the Ministry of Defence was established.
Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was established on 7th December 1982 through the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority Ordinance 1982. The primary purpose was to provide for the promotion and regulation of civil aviation activities and develop infrastructure for safe, efficient, 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 ICAO in 1944. The United Nations has declared 7th December as International Civil Aviation Day. The creation of CAA on this date reflects the importance of Pakistan as a state to ICAO.
Since 2016, efforts resulted in the bifurcation of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority into three entities: Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) as the aviation regulator, Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) as the service provider for Air Navigation and Airport Services, and the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation (BASI) for accident investigations. Primary legislation was promulgated in 2023.
History of CATI
The Civil Aviation Training Institute (CATI) was established in 1982 as the training arm of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. Located adjacent to Hyderabad Airport on a sprawling 100-acre campus, CATI was designed to be Pakistan's premier center for aviation training excellence.
CATI holds ICAO TRAINAIR PLUS Full Membership — a distinction that places it among a select group of internationally recognised aviation training centres worldwide. This certification ensures that all training programmes meet the highest international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Now operating under the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), CATI continues to evolve and expand its training capabilities. The institute features purpose-built classrooms, advanced simulation equipment, and decommissioned aircraft — including a Boeing 737 and DC-9 — used for hands-on firefighting and emergency evacuation exercises.
With four specialised schools covering air navigation services, airport services, regulatory functions, and aviation management, CATI offers comprehensive ab-initio, refresher, and advanced training programmes for aviation professionals from Pakistan and around the world.
Management
AVM Zeeshan Saeed SI (M)
DGPAA
Mr. Sumair Saeed
Deputy DG (Works) & Director CATI
Mr. Nadir Shafi Dar
DGCAA
Mr. Saadiq ur Rehman
Deputy DG (Airport Services)