A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight aborted takeoff at Islamabad International Airport after the aircraft veered off course during acceleration, marking another safety incident for the national flag carrier, BR reported.
Flight PK-309, operating on Airbus A320 (registration AP-BLC), was preparing to depart for Karachi when the captain noticed the aircraft deviating from its intended path. The pilot immediately aborted takeoff and taxied the plane back to the bay, leaving passengers waiting for several hours.
The incident follows a string of recent technical malfunctions in PIA’s fleet, including an aircraft grounded for two consecutive days last week due to repeated system faults.
In a statement, the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) expressed concern over the rising number of safety incidents, stressing that “passenger safety must remain a pre-flight priority rather than a post-incident justification.”
The engineers’ body said that all licensed personnel were fulfilling their legal obligations under Pakistan Civil Aviation Rules and PIA’s maintenance manuals. “Calling adherence to safety protocols a ‘strike’ is incorrect and misleading,” it stated, adding that engineers were legally bound to withhold certification if aircraft parts or conditions failed to meet international airworthiness standards.
Meanwhile, the Aircraft Engineers International (AEI) condemned what it described as “retaliatory measures” against PIA engineers and said it would raise the issue before global aviation regulators.
The ongoing standoff between PIA management and engineering staff has led to widespread flight disruptions. Multiple domestic and international flights were cancelled or delayed on Tuesday, further straining the airline’s operations and drawing renewed attention to its maintenance and safety practices.
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