PIA AIRLINES STARTED INTERNATIONAL ROUTE PAKISTAN TO LONDON
After a six-year hiatus, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has successfully resumed direct flight operations to London, marking a historic milestone for the national carrier and restoring a vital link for the 1.6 million Pakistanis residing in the United Kingdom .
A Historic Homecoming
The inaugural flight, PK-785, departed from Islamabad International Airport on March 29, 2026, carrying 325 passengers to London’s Heathrow Airport . The departure ceremony was attended by Defence Secretary Lieutenant General (retired) Muhammad Ali, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, and PIA Consortium Chairman Arif Habib, who jointly cut the ceremonial ribbon . At Heathrow, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Mohammad Faisal, warmly received the flight, with the airport decorated in Pakistani and British flags to celebrate the occasion .
Restoring a 71-Year Legacy
London holds a special place in PIA’s history as its first international destination, with a 71-year association that began in 1955 . The route was suspended in 2020 following regulatory restrictions, but after British authorities lifted the ban in July 2025 and PIA resumed Manchester operations in October 2025, the airline has now successfully completed its return to London .
Initially, PIA will operate four weekly flights to London—three from Islamabad and one from Lahore—using Boeing 777 aircraft, with all flights arriving at Heathrow’s Terminal 4 . Lahore-London services began on March 30, 2026, further expanding connectivity .
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott called the resumption “a positive development” that reflects the growing relationship between Pakistan and the UK, expressing hope for the future resumption of Karachi-London flights as well . Defence Secretary Muhammad Ali noted that the restored connection would strengthen trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties between the two nations .
For the Pakistani diaspora, direct flights mean easier, faster travel to their homeland without the inconvenience of layovers. As Defence Minister Khawaja Asif remarked, Pakistanis in the UK “would travel with ease on direct flights saving time and money” .
A New Chapter
The successful resumption comes after significant restructuring, including the privatization of PIA, which has cleared legacy liabilities and injected new capital into the airline . With plans to gradually increase flight frequency and expand to other UK cities, PIA’s return to London represents not just a restoration of the past but the beginning of a new journey—one that promises stronger connectivity, improved service, and a brighter future for Pakistan’s national carrier