PIA flight operations back on track after delays

Several aircraft grounded for technical issues and maintenance

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) experienced operational disruptions due to technical issues, maintenance delays, and staff availability challenges this week. The management team, along with key personnel from the Engineering Department, worked tirelessly to restore operations and minimize the impact on scheduled flights.

Several aircraft were temporarily unavailable due to technical defects and routine maintenance requirements. An aircraft with AP-BMX registration, operating flight PK-308 (Karachi–Islamabad), was taken out of service due to a defect in Engine No. 1’s exhaust cone, resulting in the cancellation of PK-308/309 and PK-451/452.

Islamabad–Karachi flight PK-369 was canceled on Thursday evening, while round-trip flights between Islamabad and Skardu (PK-451/452) were also canceled. Other flights experiencing delays included PK-287 (Islamabad–Doha), PK-286 (Doha–Peshawar), and PK-217 and PK-262 (Peshawar–Abu Dhabi–Islamabad). The Dubai–Sialkot flight was grounded in Dubai due to a brake system issue.

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The delays and cancellations were linked to ongoing maintenance schedules and the unavailability of technical staff and spare parts. The Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SEAP) highlighted that maintenance activities prioritize safety and compliance with airworthiness standards, even if operational adjustments are required.

Flight status after restoration

Following adjustments in revised slots and crew arrangements, PIA reported the following:

On-Time Departures:

• PK-783 (Karachi–Toronto) – 104 passengers

• PK-701 (Islamabad–Manchester) – 329 passengers

Delayed Departures:

• PK-747 (Lahore–Medina) – 14 hours delay, 316 passengers

• PK-761 (Karachi–Jeddah) – 12 hours delay, 160 passengers

• PK-300 (Karachi–Islamabad) – 4 hours delay, 139 passengers

• PK-741 (Islamabad–Medina) – 6 hours delay, 305 passengers

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• PK-233 (Islamabad–Dubai) – 9 hours delay, 162 passengers

• PK-245 (Islamabad–Dammam) – 7 hours delay, 180 passengers

• PK-755 (Skardu–Riyadh) – 7 hours delay, 142 passengers

Five flights were canceled after load adjustments, with alternatetive arrangements provided to affected passengers.

PIA confirmed that flight operations are being fully restored and that passenger convenience remains a top priority. The airline emphasized the importance of skilled technical staff, the availability of essential spare parts, and effective fleet planning and scheduling to support smooth operations and minimize future disruptions.