Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Sunday rejected reports that its flight operations were being affected by a strike from engineering staff, insisting that recent cancellations were due to routine scheduling adjustments, weather conditions, or other operational factors, reports DAWN.
In a statement, the national flag carrier also dismissed concerns raised by the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) about the safety of its aircraft, saying the airline operates strictly under the oversight of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA).
“The PCAA is the sole body responsible for air safety in Pakistan. It regulates all airlines, including PIA, in accordance with the highest international standards,” the PIA spokesperson said. “All matters concerning aircraft fitness, replacement of parts, and route or schedule changes fall directly under its purview and are implemented only after approval.”
Addressing social media images showing steel tape on an aircraft windscreen, the spokesperson said the tape had been used during the sealant curing process following a repair—an accepted technical procedure—but was misrepresented as a safety issue.
“The impression that a flight was operated with a taped windscreen is entirely false,” the spokesperson clarified.
The airline further stated that no punitive or retaliatory action had been taken against engineering staff over the ongoing dispute. However, it confirmed that the SAEP’s “self-styled” president and general secretary were dismissed following administrative proceedings that began four months ago.
According to dismissal letters issued last week, the two officials had been served notices for holding a press conference without prior authorization and for disclosing official information to the media. They were subsequently terminated after failing to appear before an inquiry committee.
PIA maintained that its operations continue as scheduled and that all aircraft meet the safety and airworthiness standards required by the national aviation regulator.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
