PK Flights Delays

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) ground engineers have gone on strike delaying a number of flights.The situation appeared serious as PIA Chairman Ahmad Mukhtar rushed to Karachi following ground engineers refusal to talk to Managing Director Captain Aijaz Haroon.
Over 16 flights were delayed due to the strike.

In a statement on Sunday, Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan SAEP said that Director Airworthiness CAA authorised one-time release of Boeing 747 aircraft due to non-availability of aircraft engineers there by jeopardising the safety and airworthiness of aircraft and passengers.
The statement said PK-305 operated from Lahore to Karachi after the aircraft was certified by Avionics Engineer. Airframe, power plant and radio engineers were not available due to scheduling issues. As per regulations all trade engineers Airframe, power plant, avionics and radio should be available to carry out maintenance and after coordination a senior person certifies the aircraft.

PIA has already faced European Union/SAFA Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft ban in 2008 there by blacklisting more than 50 per cent of its fleet from entering into European airspace. The management has failed due to lack of professionalism and they are using aircraft engineers as scapegoat by putting blame on them.Lack of spares, ill-planned schedule and heavy cannibalisation are some issues which SAEP has been highlighting to the PIA management time and again. Quality maintenance and proper ground time are required to meet international standards of airworthiness.