- International flights from Abu Dhabi and Dubai are affected.
- Nine PIA flights canceled, 18 others delayed.
- Air League, the Officers’ Association supports engineers.
KARACHI: Several Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights were canceled and several others delayed as the dispute between the national carrier and its engineering staff entered its sixth day, sources said on Sunday.
The issue stems from protests by the Society of Aeronautical Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) over working conditions and safety grievances.
As of 5 p.m., PIA had canceled nine flights and delayed 18 others due to technical issues and unavailability of spare parts.
The canceled international flights included those from Abu Dhabi to Peshawar, Dubai to Karachi and Faisalabad to Dubai.
PIA flights from Dubai to Faisalabad and Peshawar to Dubai were also cancelled.
Domestic cancellations included flights between Gilgit and Islamabad, as well as Skardu and Islamabad in both directions.
The dispute also led to delays of up to ten hours on 18 domestic and international flights.
The impasse between PIA management and its engineers worsened last week after the national carrier fired the president and secretary general of SAEP.
A notice dated November 6 announced the dismissal of the two officials after they failed to appear for personal hearings on November 4 and 5 before the airline’s CEO.
Meanwhile, the Air League, a workers’ representative union, and the Officers’ Association announced their support for aeronautical engineers.
In a joint statement, they condemned the dismissal of SAEP officials, calling it a “blatant example” of “retaliatory action.”
Air League president Shamim Akmal highlighted that PIA was going through a sensitive period amid long-standing issues of “corruption and financial mismanagement”.
However, he said raising concerns about passenger safety was now considered a punishable act.
The Officers Association demanded the immediate reinstatement of SEAP officials, while urging the PIA leadership to resolve the issues through dialogue.
PIA management had accused the aeronautical engineers’ body of trying to “sabotage the privatization of the airline”.
Last week, a PIA spokesperson said SAEP’s decision to step down after raising a “security concern” was a deliberate attempt to disrupt operations and put pressure on the administration.
