ISLAMABAD — Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight operations were disrupted on Monday after aircraft engineers suspended technical certifications citing safety concerns, grounding several flights and leaving passengers stranded nationwide.
The national carrier struggled to resume full operations even after 36 hours, amid accusations that it had breached international aviation standards by engaging unauthorised third-party engineering services. In response, the airline described the disruption as an attempt to derail its ongoing privatisation process.
“Management team along with key post holders of the Engineering Department immediately responded. By using alternative means and working tirelessly overnight and the day, restored the operations, thus mitigating the impact of already delayed flights for subsequent operations,” PIA said in a statement.
The airline confirmed that five flights were cancelled with alternate arrangements made for affected passengers. Two international flights — PK783 Karachi–Toronto carrying 104 passengers and PK701 Islamabad–Manchester with 329 passengers — departed on time.
Seven flights, however, faced delays ranging from four to 14 hours, including PK747 Lahore–Madinah (316 passengers), PK761 Karachi–Jeddah (160), PK300 Karachi–Islamabad (139), PK741 Islamabad–Madinah (305), PK233 Islamabad–Dubai (162), PK245 Islamabad–Dammam (180), and PK755 Sialkot–Riyadh (142).
The government’s earlier attempt to privatise PIA last year failed after a single bid came in below the $300 million asking price. A new privatisation round began in April, with Fauji Fertilizer, Air Blue, and three consortiums submitting Statements of Qualification (SOQs) in June. The process is targeted for completion by the end of 2025.
