ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has rejected claims about a damaged plane, calling the reports false and an attempt to defame the airline’s management, according to a PIA spokesperson.

The spokesperson said the aircraft’s windscreen has three strong layers, and a minor crack appeared only in the innermost one.
They added that this issue posed no safety risk to the flight.

Calling the reports misleading, the spokesperson said, “Putting the country’s aviation structure at risk for personal motives is highly unprofessional.” He described the entire narrative as a conspiracy to prevent the national carrier from turning a profit.

He further explained that PIA sometimes cancels flights due to scheduling adjustments, weather conditions, or other operational reasons — not because of any strike by engineers, as some reports suggested.

Earlier in the day, technical problems and a shortage of spare parts caused the cancellation of nine flights and delays of three to ten hours for 18 others.

According to sources, flights from Abu Dhabi to Peshawar, Dubai to Karachi, and Faisalabad to Dubai were among those cancelled. Domestic flights to Gilgit and Islamabad also faced disruptions. The Islamabad to Al Ain flight (PK-143) departed nearly ten hours late.

By 5 PM, technical issues had disrupted PIA’s schedule, resulting in nine flight cancellations and delays across 18 domestic and international routes.

On November 4, PIA’s flight operations were halted nationwide after aircraft engineers staged a protest against the management.

Also Read

PIA removes top officials of engineers’ association over ongoing conflict

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has dismissed the president and secretary general...