PIA Flight Delays Surge as SAEP Officials Dismissal Sparks Labour Dispute

KARACHI – Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is grappling with severe flight disruptions as the dismissal of key officials from the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) escalates tensions between the national carrier and its engineering staff. The ongoing dispute has now entered its sixth day, affecting both domestic and international routes.

As of Sunday evening, PIA had cancelled nine flights and delayed 18 others due to technical issues and a shortage of spare parts, sources confirmed. International flights impacted include routes from Abu Dhabi to Peshawar, Dubai to Karachi, and Faisalabad to Dubai. Domestic routes such as Gilgit to Islamabad and Skardu to Islamabad were also affected, with delays stretching up to ten hours in some cases.

The crisis began when PIA dismissed the SAEP president and secretary general after they failed to attend scheduled personal hearings on November 4 and 5. The airline management cited the dismissals as necessary actions, but the labour community sees it as a “blatant example” of retaliatory action.

Air League, a labour representative union, along with the Officers’ Association, voiced strong support for the engineers, condemning the dismissals and calling for their immediate reinstatement. “Raising concerns for passenger safety should never be treated as a punishable act,” said Air League President Shamim Akmal. He further noted that PIA is navigating a sensitive period marked by corruption and financial mismanagement, and suppressing safety concerns could escalate operational risks.

The SAEP dispute has added fuel to a growing operational crisis, with the PIA management accusing the engineers’ body of attempting to sabotage the airline’s ongoing privatisation plans. Officials argued that the work stoppage was a deliberate attempt to disrupt operations and pressure the administration.

Labour representatives urge PIA to resolve the matter through constructive dialogue, emphasizing that safeguarding passenger safety and maintaining smooth airline operations must remain a top priority.

As PIA grapples with delayed flights and mounting tensions, passengers are advised to check schedules carefully and stay updated on potential operational changes.