PIA flights disrupted after aircraft engineers' protest intensifies
Business
Flights from Lahore to Madinah, Islamabad, and Karachi to Jeddah, flights from Lahore to Abu Dhabi and from Islamabad to Dammam and Dubai were badly affected
KARACHI (Dunya News) – PIA international flight operations were badly affected as several flights could not take off after aircraft engineers stopped clearance of planes in protest over a pay raise and other issues, here on Monday.
The dispute between the PIA management and aircraft engineers intensified, with several flights remained grounded. Flights from Lahore to Madina, Islamabad, and Karachi to Jeddah were disrupted. Flights from Lahore to Abu Dhabi and from Islamabad to Dammam and Dubai were also affected.
A PIA spokesperson said Society of Aircraft Engineers has no legal status, adding the aim of the body to sabotage the privatisation of PIA.
On the other hand, the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) said its members would not return to work until the airline’s CEO changed his attitude.
Meanwhile, the CEO of the national airline has ordered strict action against the aircraft engineers. He said any engineer responsible for disrupting operations will face action.
"The Pakistan Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952, is in force at the national airline, which makes strikes or walkouts illegal," the CEO said.
He also said the management was arranging engineering support from other airlines, and flights would begin departing soon.
