ISLAMABAD — Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will resume its London flights on March 29, marking the airline’s return to the UK capital after a six-year suspension, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mohammad Faisal, said on Tuesday.
The development restores a key international route for the national carrier and is expected to improve connectivity for the Pakistani diaspora in the UK, particularly as PIA continues rebuilding its international network following regulatory bans.
PIA had already restarted UK operations in October 2025 with flights to Manchester after British authorities lifted a ban earlier that year. The airline is currently operating four weekly flights to Manchester.
Gradual expansion planned
According to the envoy, the first London flight is scheduled to land on March 29, with plans to gradually expand operations to other UK cities. He said the airline aims to operate two to three weekly flights to London alongside its existing Manchester schedule.
Officials indicated that further expansion will depend on operational and financial stability, as the airline continues to address ongoing fiscal constraints following its recent privatization.
Background to suspension
PIA’s UK operations were suspended in 2020 after a crash involving an Airbus A320 in Karachi killed 97 people. The incident triggered scrutiny over pilot licensing standards, leading to bans by UK, US, and European regulators.
The UK lifted its ban in July 2025, allowing PIA to resume services. Authorities and airline officials have since emphasized compliance improvements and safety reforms.
Despite financial challenges, officials say demand remains strong, particularly from the Pakistani community in the UK, with relatively affordable fares contributing to passenger interest.
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