ISLAMABAD- Pakistan International Airlines (PK) has faced severe operational disruptions after its engineers refused to certify several aircraft as airworthy, leaving numerous planes grounded at major hubs, including Karachi (KHI), Lahore (LHE), and Islamabad (IST).
The engineers, aligned with the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP), state they are upholding safety standards by declining to sign off on aircraft they consider unfit. PIA management reported that the engineers’ refusal has caused widespread flight delays.
Pakistan Airlines Cancels and Delays Flights
The disruption began late Monday when engineers refused to issue airworthiness clearances, citing safety concerns over aircraft condition.
The management of PIA, on the other hand, described the action as an unsanctioned work stoppage that obstructs normal operations and violates existing regulations. Dozens of aircraft remained parked on tarmacs, resulting in:
- Cancellation of at least five flights
- Delays of up to 14 hours on key international routes.
The stand‑off between the engineers and PIA management emerges amid ongoing privatization efforts, raising questions about maintenance practices, regulatory compliance, and operational reliability within Pakistan’s largest airline.
The Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) sources were quoted in The News as having said:
Six aircraft engineers posted at Peshawar airport have been transferred to Karachi…. They insisted the engineers are not on strike — they’re reporting for duty and clearing only the aircraft they believe are fit to fly. As part of a backup plan, PIA brought in engineers from a private company, but they managed to clear only two flights…
Major Impact on Operations
Passengers were left stranded at KHI, LHE, and IST as outbound and inbound flights continued to accumulate. Among the affected were umrah pilgrims and international travelers, some experiencing delays exceeding ten hours.
According to dawn.com, seven flights faced serious delays—including PK747 (Lahore to Madina) at 14 hours, PK761 (Karachi to Jeddah) at 12 hours, PK233 (Islamabad to Dubai) at 9 hours, and PK300 (Karachi to Islamabad) at 4 hours—while five flights were cancelled altogether.
Attempts to bring in third-party engineering crews allowed only a limited number of flights to depart, leaving the schedule significantly disrupted and passengers facing long waits.
What’s Next for PIA?
Pakistan International Airlines management has launched a number of concrete measures to stabilize operations.
The airline stated it began restoring flight operations after engineers’ certification refusals, with flights such as PK‑245 (Islamabad to Dammam) and PK‑761 (Islamabad to Jeddah) departing under alternative arrangements.
In parallel, PIA will have to address deep‑rooted maintenance inefficiencies: an audit revealed that in 2021, five aircraft were out of service for a combined 2,991 days — a maintenance plan originally designed for 19‑28 days per aircraft — costing the airline more than Rs 38 billion.
Bottom Line
Pakistan International Airlines now faces a dual challenge of operational disruption and institutional reform.
The ongoing clash between engineers and management underscores core issues of safety certification, regulatory compliance, and maintenance discipline.
Passengers continue to bear the immediate impact of grounded aircraft and delayed flights, while the airline navigates scrutiny over both safety standards and privatisation progress.
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