PIA engineers continue to protest, dozens of flights cancelled

PIA engineers continue to protest, dozens of flights cancelled

PIA plane in air

November, 5 2025

KARACHI (Web Desk): Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) engineers’ protest has entered its second day, severely disrupting flight operations.

A dispute between the airline’s management and aircraft engineers has brought operations to a halt, as engineers refused to issue safety clearances for several aircraft.

With planes grounded, delays and cancellations mounted throughout Tuesday, causing frustration among passengers, including many Umrah pilgrims.

Sources said the protest began late Monday when PIA’s international flights were unable to depart after 8pm. Since then, dozens of flights, both domestic and international have been delayed or cancelled.

PIA management has responded by taking disciplinary action. Six engineers stationed in Peshawar were transferred to Karachi.

However, the engineers deny striking, claiming they are only clearing aircraft that are “fit to fly.” Anything deemed unsafe, they said, “will not get clearance.”

The Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) accused the management of “pressuring and intimidating staff” into approving unfit planes.

The airline reportedly brought in private engineers as a backup, but they managed to clear only two flights.

At least 55 flights were affected on Monday, including 12 international routes. Two Karachi-Skardu flights, one Lahore-Karachi flight, and Lahore-Muscat services PK-329 and PK-330 were cancelled.

The Karachi-Lahore flight PK-302 was delayed by more than 14 hours, while Islamabad-Gilgit flights PK-601 and PK-602 were also suspended.

The engineers have been protesting for over two months, wearing black armbands to demand fair pay and better working conditions.

They say they haven’t received a raise in eight years and that the airline’s shortage of spare parts makes aircraft safety questionable.

PIA’s CEO has ordered strict action, warning that “those responsible for disrupting operations will face legal consequences.”

He also dismissed the engineers’ body as “unrecognized” and accused it of trying to sabotage the airline’s privatization efforts.

Calling the strike illegal under the Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952, the CEO said, “We are arranging engineering support from other airlines, and flights will resume soon.”