Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) came to a halt on Monday after aircraft engineers suspended the issuance of airworthiness certificates over critical safety concerns, grounding multiple planes and causing widespread flight cancellations, both domestic and international.
According to a news report, the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) announced it would cease certifying aircraft, citing compromised safety protocols and inadequate maintenance resources. This has disrupted the airline’s operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to passengers, but their safety will never be compromised,” SAEP said in a statement, emphasizing that no aircraft would be released until compliance with airworthiness standards was fully achieved.
SAEP insisted the action was not a strike but a “regulatory obligation” under Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority’s ANO-145 regulations, with engineers unable to legally certify aircraft as airworthy due to safety concerns.
In response, PIA spokesman Abdullah dismissed SAEP as an illegal organization, accusing them of attempting to sabotage the ongoing privatization process. “We are seeking engineering services from other carriers to resume flight operations,” he stated. However, he did not address the specific safety concerns raised by SAEP.
This latest crisis adds to PIA’s ongoing struggles. Earlier this year, the airline suspended flights to Canada in September due to maintenance issues with its Boeing 777 fleet. Additionally, flights to the UK, which had resumed in October after five years, have now been suspended again due to safety concerns.
The grounding of aircraft highlights the growing operational instability at PIA, which is already grappling with financial difficulties and management challenges.
Discover more from Brackly News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
