PIA rejects mismanagement claims, defends aviation standards

Statement issued by the so-called “Engineering Society” contained misleading facts, says spokesperson

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) firmly rejected the claims of mismanagement made by the 'so-called Engineering Society,' describing the statements as an attempt to undermine the national aviation sector for personal gain, while reiterating its full compliance with international aviation standards.

In a a detailed response issued to recent media reports regarding its operations and aircraft 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 drew unwarranted international scrutiny. PIA described this as an attempt to undermine the national aviation sector for personal gain, adding that these elements are neither well-wishers nor professional in their conduct.

Read: PIA engineers face action for refusing to compromise on safety

He emphasized that the responsibility for aviation safety in Pakistan lies with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which regulates all airlines, including PIA, under the strictest international standards. “All aspects of aircraft operations—from parts usage and replacement to flight fitness, routes, and 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, which enabled PIA to resume direct flights to Europe and the United Kingdom. The concerns raised by the society, PIA maintained, are unfounded and appear to be motivated by opposition to privatization and salary increments.

He also criticized the self-proclaimed president and general secretary of the society for lacking recognized qualifications from the Pakistan Engineering Council, stating they are not authorized to work on aircraft. The airline said their actions are politically and personally motivated, aimed at undermining PIA’s structure and obstructing its profitability and network expansion.

Aircraft safety clarifications

Addressing reports of an aircraft windscreen incident, the spokesperson explained: “The windscreen has three reinforced layers, and only the inner layer was cracked, posing no risk to flight safety.” He added that similar incidents occur internationally with airlines such as Singapore Airlines, American Airlines, and Virgin, with replacement procedures considered standard practice.

Photos circulated showing windscreen repairs being conducted with tape were also misleading, PIA said. Any tape or steel strips shown were temporary during the curing process and did not compromise safety.

Also Read: PIA accuses engineers' body of derailing privatisation process

Contrary to claims of engineering strikes, PIA said no flights were canceled due to staff protests. Recent cancellations and delays were caused by technical issues and the unavailability of spare parts. On Sunday, nine flights were canceled and 18 delayed across 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 taken retaliatory action against engineers and continues to operate with patience. However, former leaders of the society, whose employment termination processes have been ongoing for four months, have leveraged political influence to spread misleading narratives.

Society of Aircraft Engineers responds

The Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SEAP) criticized PIA’s alleged crackdown on engineers, claiming warning letters, caution notices, and forced transfers were being used against personnel adhering to international maintenance standards. SEAP said these measures endanger flight safety and the airline’s reputation.

The society attributed flight disruptions primarily to administrative failures and spare parts shortages rather than engineering staff. A grounded plane in Karachi, registered AP-BMY, remained out of service due to missing components, including a thrust reverser assembly, resulting in 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 hurdles stem from administrative shortcomings, not engineering failures.

PIA flight operations were disrupted following a standoff between the airline and its aircraft engineers, who halted the issuance of airworthiness clearances in protest against the behavior of the airline’s chief executive.

The disruption left 12 international flights grounded after 8 pm, causing significant inconvenience for passengers, including Umrah pilgrims. The Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) had announced that its members would not resume work until the CEO amended his conduct.