KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) faced major disruptions on Tuesday after its aircraft engineers halted flight clearances amid a standoff with management, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays.
The engineers, protesting what they describe as CEO “hostile attitude”, suspended technical approvals for aircraft, effectively grounding much of the national carrier’s fleet.
While PIA managed to operate limited flights to Jeddah and Dammam using alternative engineering support, most international services were suspended, reports DAWN NEWS.
The airline’s spokesperson accused the striking engineers of attempting to sabotage the airline’s privatization, warning that under the Essential Services Act, such actions are illegal and would face disciplinary consequences.
A report published in DAWN NEWS revealed that Chief Executive Officer has instructed strict disciplinary action against the protesting engineers. Meanwhile, a PIA spokesperson stated that the Society of Aircraft Engineers has no legal status and alleged that the protest’s real objective is to sabotage the airline’s privatization process.
The spokesperson emphasized that the Essential Services Act is in force at PIA, making strikes or work stoppages a legal offense. “Legal action will be taken against all those involved in such activities,” the spokesperson warned, adding that the administration is acquiring alternative engineering services from other airlines to ensure that flight operations resume as soon as possible.
The PIA later confirmed that flight operations were gradually being restored.
“The airline has resumed operations through alternative means,” the spokesperson said, adding that flights PK-247 (Islamabad–Dammam) and PK-761 (Islamabad–Jeddah) have already departed. Other flights are being cleared and will depart shortly, while management remains present at airports to prevent any disturbance or inconvenience to passengers.
Due to the engineers’ strike, several flights were cancelled, including Lahore–Muscat, Karachi–Faisalabad, and both-way Islamabad–Skardu routes. PIA sources confirmed that the ongoing dispute between management and engineers has caused multiple flight delays and cancellations.
Despite the ongoing standoff, PIA officials stressed that flight operations will not be allowed to remain suspended under any circumstances.
