PIA to Resume Islamabad–London Flights from March 29

News Desk

Karachi:  Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced that it will resume direct flights between Islamabad and London from March 29, 2026, ending a six-year suspension of its UK capital route.

According to an airline spokesperson, PIA will operate four flights per week on the Islamabad–London sector, with services scheduled to operate via Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4.

The resumption of London flights is expected to provide greater convenience to passengers, particularly as PIA currently operates three weekly flights to Manchester, offering limited connectivity to the United Kingdom.

Sources said the development follows PIA’s successful securing of four weekly flight slots at Heathrow Airport last week. These slots had been temporarily allocated to Turkish Airlines to ensure they remained active while PIA’s UK operations were suspended, preventing their forfeiture.

With regulatory restrictions easing, PIA has formally notified Heathrow Airport in writing of its decision to restart London operations from March 2026.

The move comes amid significant changes at the national carrier following its privatisation, under which 75 per cent of PIA’s shares were sold to a consortium led by the Arif Habib Corporation for Rs135 billion.

The consortium has announced plans to expand PIA’s fleet to 64 aircraft in phases as part of its revival strategy. Additionally, Fauji Fertiliser Company Limited has joined the Arif Habib-led group, contributing financial backing and corporate expertise, and will also be involved in the airline’s management structure.

The resumption of London flights is being seen as a key step in PIA’s broader efforts to restore international operations and strengthen its presence on major global routes.