Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) faced major disruption in flight operations this week after its engineering staff stopped issuing aircraft safety clearances, causing widespread delays and a few cancellations across domestic and international routes.
According to airline officials, the issue began when members of the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) refused to sign off on several aircraft for departure, citing maintenance concerns. This unexpected halt affected flights departing from Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, with passengers left waiting for hours at terminals.
⏱️ Massive Delays Reported
Several outbound and inbound flights were delayed by more than 10 hours.
For instance:
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Lahore to Madina — delayed for over 14 hours
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Karachi to Jeddah — delayed for 12 hours
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Islamabad to Dubai — delayed for 9 hours
At least five flights were cancelled, and passengers were either compensated or shifted to the next available departures.
Travellers expressed frustration over the lack of timely communication from airline staff, with many taking to social media to share photos and videos from crowded terminals.
⚙️ PIA’s Response
PIA management confirmed that flight operations were affected due to “technical verification delays” and a temporary protest from certain engineering personnel.
The airline, however, denied that there was a full-fledged strike, stating that “essential services continued throughout the disruption.”
By Tuesday morning, the airline said it had successfully restored flight operations after resolving internal coordination issues. PIA’s spokesperson added:
“Passenger convenience remains our top priority. Flights are now operating on adjusted schedules and will fully normalize within 24 hours.”
🧰 Underlying Issues
Sources within the airline claim that tensions between PIA management and the engineering association have been building for weeks over internal restructuring and concerns tied to the ongoing privatization process.
The SAEP, however, maintained that their actions were not a protest, but a necessary enforcement of safety and airworthiness standards.
Industry observers say such operational stand-offs highlight the fragility of PIA’s internal management structure and the urgent need for reforms before privatization moves forward.
🛫 Operations Back to Normal
As of now, most domestic and international routes are back on schedule. Passengers are advised to check flight timings via the official PIA website or contact the call center for the latest updates.
Officials assure that all safety procedures have been followed and “no flight will operate without complete technical clearance.”
💡 Why It Matters
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For passengers: Ensures safer, more transparent flight operations.
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For PIA: Reinforces its commitment to safety during restructuring.
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For Pakistan’s aviation sector: Highlights the need for better coordination between departments during privatization and regulatory transitions.
