Statement issued by so-called “Engineering Society” contained misleading facts, says spokesperson
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has firmly rejected allegations of mismanagement made by the ‘so-called Engineering Society’, describing the statements as an attempt to undermine the domestic aviation sector for personal gain, while reiterating its full compliance with international aviation standards.
In a detailed response issued to recent media reports on its aircraft operations and maintenance, a PIA spokesperson said the airline’s management had exercised restraint over the past two days, avoiding unnecessary statements.
However, a statement issued by the so-called “Engineering Society” contained inaccurate data and misleading facts, which received widespread media attention and unwarranted international scrutiny. PIA described this as an attempt to undermine the domestic aviation sector for personal gain, adding that these elements are neither sympathetic nor professional in their conduct.
Read: PIA engineers face legal action for refusing to compromise on safety
He highlighted that the responsibility for aviation safety in Pakistan lies with the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan (CAA), which regulates all airlines, including PIA, under the strictest international standards. “All aspects of aircraft operations, from the use and replacement of parts to suitability, routing and flight scheduling, are approved by the Civil Aviation Authority in accordance with international law,” he added.
The spokesperson highlighted that Pakistan’s aviation sector has undergone multiple audits, allowing PIA to resume direct flights to Europe and the United Kingdom. The concerns expressed by society, according to PIA, are unfounded and appear to be motivated by opposition to privatization and wage increases.
He also criticized the society’s self-proclaimed president and general secretary for lacking qualifications recognized by the Pakistan Engineering Council, stating that they are not authorized to work on aircraft. The airline said its actions are politically and personally motivated and are aimed at undermining PIA’s structure and obstructing its profitability and network expansion.
Clarifications on aircraft safety
Referring to reports of an incident on an aircraft windshield, the spokesperson explained: “The windshield has three reinforced layers, and only the inner layer was broken, which does not pose any risk to flight safety.” He added that similar incidents occur internationally with airlines such as Singapore Airlines, American Airlines and Virgin, and replacement procedures are considered standard practice.
Photos circulated showing windshield repairs done with duct tape were also misleading, PIA said. Any tape or steel strip shown was temporary during the curing process and did not compromise safety.
Read also: PIA accuses engineering body of derailing privatization process
Contrary to claims of engineer strikes, PIA said no flights were canceled due to staff protests. Recent cancellations and delays were due to technical problems and unavailability of spare parts. On Sunday, nine flights were canceled and 18 delayed on domestic and international routes, including Abu Dhabi-Peshawar, Dubai-Karachi and Islamabad-Skardu, with delays ranging from three to 10 hours.
The spokesperson reiterated that management has not retaliated against the engineers and continues to operate patiently. However, former society leaders, whose dismissal processes have been ongoing for four months, have leveraged political influence to spread misleading narratives.
The Society of Aeronautical Engineers responds
The Society of Aeronautical Engineers of Pakistan (SEAP) criticized the PIA’s alleged crackdown on engineers, saying warning letters, caution notices and forced transfers were being used against staff who adhered to international maintenance standards. SEAP said these measures jeopardize flight safety and the airline’s reputation.
The society attributed the flight disruptions primarily to administrative failures and a shortage of spare parts rather than to engineering staff. An aircraft grounded in Karachi, registered AP-BMY, remained out of service due to missing components, including a thrust reverser assembly, leading to cancellations of flights such as PK-213, PK-214, PK-223 and PK-284.
“Maintenance cannot be compromised under any circumstances,” SEAP said, emphasizing that current technical obstacles are due to administrative deficiencies, not engineering failures.
PIA’s flight operations were disrupted following a clash between the airline and its aeronautical engineers, who stopped the issuance of airworthiness clearances in protest against the behavior of the airline’s CEO.
The disruption grounded 12 international flights after 8 pm, causing significant inconvenience to passengers, including Umrah pilgrims. The Society of Aeronautical Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) had announced that its members would not resume work until the director general modified his conduct.
