ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights will finally land in the United Kingdom again after five years, as the national flag carrier has announced the resumption of services from October 25.
The announcement, made on Saturday, has brought relief for thousands of passengers who have long relied on connecting flights to reach British destinations.
First phase begins with Manchester route
According to PIA, the airline will restart its UK operations with two weekly flights between Islamabad and Manchester. The service will operate on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
As per the schedule, flights from Islamabad will depart at 12 noon, arriving in Manchester at 5pm local time. The return flight will leave Manchester at 7pm and land in Islamabad at 7am the next morning.
A spokesperson for the airline said the frequency of Manchester flights will gradually increase, while London services are also planned in the second phase of expansion. “Flights have been opened for booking, and very reasonable fares have been introduced,” the spokesperson noted, adding that passengers will now be able to travel in just eight hours instead of taking the 15-hour journey through connecting flights.
Clearance and approvals secured
The announcement follows a crucial development a day earlier, when the Pakistan High Commission in London confirmed that the UK Civil Aviation Authority had issued the Foreign Aircraft Operating Permit (FOP), the final document required to allow PIA to resume operations.
Last month, PIA also received the Third Country Operator (TCO) approval for the United Kingdom, which allows the airline to carry both passengers and cargo directly. Back in July, the UK’s Air Safety Committee lifted its restrictions on Pakistani carriers after reviewing improvements in air safety standards.
More destinations on the horizon
PIA has confirmed that once the Manchester route is established, services to Birmingham and London will be added to the schedule. Before the suspension in 2020, the airline used to operate 21 weekly flights to the UK, including 10 to London, nine to Manchester, and two to Birmingham.
The resumption is expected to strengthen connectivity for passengers travelling from Pakistan not only to the UK but also to other European destinations.
For many expatriates and frequent travellers, PIA’s comeback means shorter travel times, fewer stopovers, and a direct link to Pakistan. The airline, still carrying the weight of past challenges, now hopes to restore confidence by offering smoother journeys and better services.