Passengers Stranded Across Pakistan Amid PIA Shutdown
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is facing a severe disruption as aircraft engineers went on strike, suspending flight operations across Pakistan and beyond.
The protest began when engineers refused to issue mandatory airworthiness certificates, grounding all domestic and international flights.
Officials confirmed that since 8 p.m. Monday, no international PIA flight has departed, leaving hundreds of frustrated passengers waiting at airports across the country.
At least 12 international flights were affected, including scheduled routes to Jeddah, Medina, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Dammam from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar.
Flights grounded include Karachi–Jeddah PK 761 and PK 832, Lahore–Abu Dhabi PK 263 and PK 264, and Islamabad–Dubai PK 233 and PK 284.
The suspension has caused distress among Umrah pilgrims, many of whom are concerned about missing their scheduled religious rituals and travel commitments in Saudi Arabia.
SAEP confirmed that members have stopped issuing certificates, citing the continued negligence of management toward employee grievances and workplace concerns.
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SAEP also demanded the removal of the CEO, accusing him of showing an uncooperative attitude and ignoring legitimate employee issues for far too long.
PIA management, in response, is seeking assistance from other airlines to provide technical support and help resume normal flight operations at the earliest.
A PIA spokesperson stated that efforts are actively underway to clear pending flights and restore the regular flight schedule as quickly as possible.
CEO has instructed strict disciplinary action against protesting engineers, terming their strike a direct threat to national aviation safety and flight reliability.
Passengers at Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar airports expressed deep frustration over prolonged delays, lack of updates, and inadequate facilities during their extended wait.
Families and pilgrims reported waiting for several hours without clear information about their flight rescheduling or compensation plans from the airline’s management.
| Route | Flight Numbers | Destination | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karachi – Jeddah | PK 761, PK 832 | Saudi Arabia | Grounded |
| Lahore – Abu Dhabi | PK 263, PK 264 | United Arab Emirates | Grounded |
| Islamabad – Dubai | PK 233, PK 284 | United Arab Emirates | Grounded |
