PIA Airbus at Dubai airport. Photo: PIA website
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has canceled five flights and adjusted passenger loading after an attempt by its engineering union to disrupt operations, the national flag carrier said in a statement on Friday.
The airline claimed that the Society of Aeronautical Engineers of Pakistan (SEAP), a deregistered entity, attempted to halt PIA’s operations during the late hours of Thursday “with a nefarious design to sabotage the privatization process.”
“The management team, along with key Engineering Department officials, responded immediately. Using alternative means and working tirelessly throughout the night and day, they restored operations, thereby mitigating the impact of the already delayed flights,” the statement said.
PIA confirmed that five flights were canceled following load readjustments and alternative arrangements were offered to affected passengers. The airline assured that flight operations were being fully restored and that “customer comfort remains our top priority.”
Following schedule review and crew adjustments, two international flights, from Karachi to Toronto (PK-783) with 104 passengers and from Islamabad to Manchester (PK-701) with 329 passengers, departed on time.
However, seven flights were delayed, including Lahore to Madina (PK-747), Karachi to Jeddah (PK-761), Karachi to Islamabad (PK-300), Islamabad to Madina (PK-741), Islamabad to Dubai (PK-233), Islamabad to Dammam (PK-245) and Sialkot to Riyadh (PK-755).
PIA said it remained focused on minimizing disruption and ensuring passengers reach their destinations safely as operations return to normal.
