Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has dismissed the SAEP President and Secretary General of the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan amid severe flight disruptions affecting both domestic and international operations.
The move comes during an ongoing conflict between PIA management and aircraft engineers over workplace conditions and safety concerns. According to official notifications, the dismissals were carried out under PIA’s internal regulations after both officials allegedly failed to appear before the PIA CEO during an inquiry last year.
The SAEP President, Owais Jadoon, confirmed that he plans to challenge the decision in court, citing documentary evidence in his defense. He claimed that the action was retaliatory, following engineers’ efforts to highlight aircraft technical issues and regulatory violations.
According to Jadoon, engineers had refused to certify planes that were not airworthy, insisting that all safety checks be completed before any flights could depart. He said this stance angered management, leading to the recent dismissals.
The engineers have since announced that no aircraft will be cleared for operation without complete safety inspections. Their stance has deepened the crisis, with dozens of flights delayed or canceled across Pakistan.
Recent reports revealed severe disruptions, including a 10-hour delay for Flight PK-304 and an 18-hour delay for Flight PK-218. Passengers, particularly those traveling for Umrah or on international routes, have expressed frustration over the uncertainty.
PIA management, on the other hand, has accused the engineering body of unauthorized actions that violated company protocols. Officials said the airline is working on alternate arrangements to normalize operations and minimize inconvenience to passengers.
The dismissal of the SAEP President has raised broader concerns about safety oversight within Pakistan’s aviation sector. Analysts warn that continued disputes between engineers and management could harm PIA’s operational reliability and reputation.
In other news read more about: Karachi Airport Faces Flight Disruptions Again
