Travel pandemonium as PIA flights schedule disrupted due to engineers’ strike

Flights operation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was disturbed badly on Tuesday after aircraft engineers refused to work to protest over salary and safety issues, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The protest left planes grounded, flights cancelled and passengers stranded across the country.

The strike began on Monday night when the engineers opted to decline airworthiness clearances for flights. 

Since then, no international flight has taken off. As many as 12 flights have been affected so far. Many passengers, including Umrah pilgrims, are waiting at airports, hoping the matter is resolved.

The engineers, under the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP), said they would not return to work until the airline’s CEO changes his attitude. They have been protesting for over two months by wearing black armbands, but the PIA management did not bother to pay attention to their demands.

PIA flight operations disrupted due to strike by Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) who have refused to certify airline's aircraft as airworthy for flight operations. pic.twitter.com/XAo02oZEs7

— Pakistan Aviation News ???????? (@avpak3) November 3, 2025

According to the SAEP, the engineers have not received a salary raise in eight years. They also complained about shortage of spare parts and said the management pressures them to give clearances to the aircraft even if they are not fully fit to fly. “We cannot risk passengers’ lives,” the engineers declared.

The PIA CEO reacted strongly, calling the protest “illegal sabotage” and warned that those involved will face strict action. The CEO added that the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952, makes strikes and walkouts illegal in national services like the PIA.

The PIA management claimed that the engineers’ protest is not about safety but a deliberate attempt to disrupt the airline’s privatization process.

The spokesperson said arrangements are being made to get technical help from other airlines so flights can resume soon.

Two flights, PK-245 departed from New Islamabad International Airport (NIIA) to Damam, and another flight, PK-761 departed from Islamabad to Jeddah.

“Tech logs for other flights are also being cleared for departure and the management is present at the airports,” the airline said. “No group or individual will be allowed to cause inconvenience to passengers or obstruct flight departures in any way.”

Reporter: Tayyab Saif