AEI Executive board
Aircraft Engineers International is a neutral, non-profit consortium formed to support and represent certified aircraft engineers and mechanics globally.
AEI EXECUTIVE BOARD
PRESIDENT
Ola Blomqvist ola.blomqvist@airengineers.org
VICE PRESIDENT
Øvyind Strom Oyvind.strom@airengineers.org
SECRETARY GENERAL
Chris.Burleigh Chris.burleigh@airengineers.org
ATAC CHAIRMAN
Geir Ove Eriksen geir.eriksen@airengineers.org
TRAESURER
Girjanun Coylas girjanun.coylas@airengineers.org
INTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICER
Trevor Lee trevor.lee@airengineers.org
PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIRMAN
Robert Swankhuizen public.relations@airengineers.org
SECRETARY AMERICAS
Cameron Lampley Cameron.Lampley@airengineers.org
SECRETARY ASIA PACIFIC
Mat Rea
POLICY OFFICERS
Martin Bannister martin.bannister@airengineers.org
Jorge Alves
Mario Moreira mario.moreira@airengineers.org
Thomas Vlasek thomas.vlasak@airengineers.org
Nicolas Dauve Nicolas.Dauve@airengineers.org
Sermed Zain sermed.zain@airengineers.org
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Lisbon, Portugal — October 2025
AEI Stands Firmly with Pakistani Aircraft Engineers facing retaliation for reporting safety concerns
At the 53rd Annual Congress of Aircraft Engineers International (AEI), held last week in Lisbon, the present AEI affiliates and the AEI Executive Board unanimously expressed their full support for the Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP) and all its members.
AEI has learned that engineers, members of SAEP are being victimized by their employer Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), after raising legitimate safety concerns regarding aircraft maintenance. AEI condemns these actions in the strongest possible terms.
“Safety is the number one priority in aviation worldwide,” said Ola Blomqvist, AEI President. “It is deeply concerning that at Pakistan International Airlines this essential principle has been ignored.” Retaliating against engineers for reporting safety issues is not only unethical — it endangers lives.
AEI calls upon Pakistan International Airlines, to immediately end all forms of victimization against maintenance engineers and to ensure that whistleblowing engineers are protected in accordance with international aviation safety standards.
As a global association representing licensed aircraft maintenance engineers and mechanics, AEI reiterates that a just culture and an open reporting environment are indispensable to maintaining aviation safety.
About AEI
Founded in 1971, Aircraft Engineers International (AEI) represents licensed aircraft maintenance engineers and mechanics in over thirty countries. AEI’s mission is to promote the highest standards of aviation safety, maintenance integrity, and professional recognition for engineers worldwide.
Contact: Aircraft Engineers International (AEI)
contact@airengineers.org