PIA Airbus at Dubai Airport. Photo: PIA website
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has canceled five flights and adjusted passenger numbers after an attempt by its engineers union to disrupt its operations, the national airline said in a statement on Friday.
The airline claimed that the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SEAP), an unrecognized entity, attempted to shut down PIA’s operations late Thursday night, “with the nefarious aim of sabotaging the privatization process.”
“The management team, along with those responsible for key positions in the engineering department, responded immediately. Using alternative means and working tirelessly throughout the night and during the day, 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.”
Following a schedule review and crew adjustments, two international flights – Karachi to Toronto (PK-783) with 104 passengers and Islamabad to Manchester (PK-701) with 329 passengers – departed on time.
However, seven flights experienced delays, including Lahore to Madinah (PK-747), Karachi to Jeddah (PK-761), Karachi to Islamabad (PK-300), Islamabad to Madinah (PK-741), Islamabad to Dubai (PK-233), Islamabad to Dammam (PK-245) and Sialkot to Riyadh (PK-755).
PIA said it remains focused on minimizing disruption and ensuring passengers reach their destinations safely as operations return to normal.
