ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Sunday resumed direct flight operations to London after a gap of six years, marking a significant milestone for the national carrier.
A special inauguration ceremony was held at Islamabad International Airport to mark the occasion, where Secretary Defence Lt Gen (retired) Muhammad Ali, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, and Chairman PIA Consortium Arif Habib jointly cut the ribbon. The event was also attended by senior officials, including the Director General of Pakistan Civil Aviation.
Following the ceremony, PIA’s first flight to London departed from Islamabad at 12 noon for Heathrow Airport. Officials said all tickets for the inaugural flight from Islamabad to London, as well as the return service from London to Pakistan, had been fully booked, reflecting strong demand for the route.
چھ سال بعد پی ائی اے کی لندن ہیتھرو کے لیے پہلی پرواز روانہ
تاخیر کی قیمت قوم نے چکائی …ذمہ داروں کو جواب دینا ہوگا pic.twitter.com/vuuxdlIBkO— Sadia Abbasi (@SadiaAbbasii) March 29, 2026
The resumption of flights to the United Kingdom is seen as a major step in restoring PIA’s international network. London has historically been one of the airline’s busiest and most symbolic destinations, serving a large Pakistani diaspora.
Federal Minister for Aviation Khawaja Asif, who had announced resumption of the PIA’s London operations, also welcomed the development, posting on social media that the relaunch of London flights was a “big moment” for Pakistan’s aviation sector and a testament to efforts aimed at reviving the national carrier.
It is pertinent to mention here that London has historically been one of PIA’s busiest and most symbolic routes, serving millions of Pakistanis living in the UK, and the resumption is set to strengthen Pakistan’s aviation footprint in Europe, following earlier Manchester flights.
