Overview
- Engineers stopped issuing airworthiness clearances on Monday evening, halting Pakistan International Airlines’ international departures from about 8 p.m.
- At least 12 flights were affected on routes including Lahore–Madinah, Lahore–Abu Dhabi, Islamabad–Dammam, Islamabad–Dubai, and Karachi–Jeddah, leaving many passengers stranded.
- A large share of the stranded travelers were Umrah pilgrims, compounding the disruption for time-sensitive journeys.
- The Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan cites eight years without raises, spare-parts shortages, and pressure to clear aircraft against rules, and says work will not resume without a change in the CEO’s approach.
- PIA calls the action illegal under the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, disputes the union’s legal status, alleges an effort to derail privatization, and says outside engineering support is enabling some departures, with two Islamabad flights reported cleared.