Management claims SAEP attempted to disrupt the national airline’s operations, but quick action defeated their bid.
Pakistan International Airlines has canceled five flights after its engineers union disrupted its operations, the national airline said in a statement on Friday. The airline claimed that the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan, an unrecognized body, attempted to disrupt PIA’s operations late Thursday night, “with the nefarious aim of sabotaging the privatization process.”
“Management, in cooperation with those responsible for key positions in the engineering department, responded quickly. Using alternative means and working tirelessly day and night, they restored operations, thereby mitigating the impact of already delayed flights,” the statement said.
PIA confirmed that five flights were canceled after load readjustments and alternative arrangements were offered to affected passengers. The airline assured that flight operations have been fully restored and “customer comfort remains our top priority.”
Learn more: PIA flight operations hit as conflict with engineers continues
Following a revised schedule and crew adjustments, two international flights — Karachi-Toronto (PK-783) with 104 passengers and Islamabad-Manchester (PK-701) with 329 passengers — took off on time.
However, seven flights including Lahore-Madina (PK-747), Karachi-Jeddah (PK-761), Karachi-Islamabad (PK-300), Islamabad-Madina (PK-741), Islamabad-Dubai (PK-233), Islamabad-Dammam (PK-245) and Sialkot-Riyadh (PK-755) experienced delays. PIA said it remains focused on minimizing disruption and ensuring passengers reach their destinations safely as operations resume their normal schedule.
On Monday, flight operations were suspended following a standoff between PIA and its aeronautical engineers, who stopped issuing airworthiness clearances in protest against the behavior of the airline’s chief executive. The suspension grounded 12 international flights after 8 p.m., causing difficulties for passengers, especially Umrah pilgrims. SAEP announced that its members would not return to work until the CEO changed his behavior.
