PIA flight operations restored after a disruption caused by a sudden work stoppage from a section of the airline’s engineering staff, the management confirmed on Tuesday.
According to officials, an unlawful halt by members of the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) temporarily blocked aircraft clearances on Monday night, leading to several flight delays and cancellations. The move, reportedly aimed at pressuring management, was described by the airline as an attempt to hinder its ongoing restructuring and privatisation process.
Despite the setback, PIA’s management was forced to scramble for alternative technical resources after internal mismanagement disrupted operations overnight. Although, the airline said that flights from Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore, including PK783 to Toronto and PK701 to Manchester, had departed as scheduled but the episode underscored how internal discord continues to compromise service reliability and passenger confidence.
The incident affected several routes, with some flights to Jeddah, Dubai, and Riyadh delayed by up to 14 hours. Five flights were cancelled due to operational adjustments, but passengers were accommodated on alternative departures.
A PIA spokesperson termed the engineers’ move as “irresponsible” and “damaging to the airline’s reputation,” adding that such actions violated the Essential Services Act, under which disciplinary proceedings may follow. “We will not allow any unlawful disruption to affect passengers or national operations,” the statement read.
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The latest disruption adds to a growing list of operational setbacks faced by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). Frequent flight delays, last-minute cancellations, and internal coordination lapses have repeatedly inconvenienced passengers and raised concerns over the airline’s crisis management. Despite assurances of improved efficiency, travelers continue to face uncertainty, particularly on international routes where schedule adherence remains inconsistent.
