PIA to Restart London Flights After Six-Year Break

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is preparing to reconnect Pakistan with the UK capital after a six-year suspension, announcing the return of direct Islamabad–London flights from March 29, 2026. The move signals a major operational comeback for the national carrier following prolonged safety restrictions that had grounded its European network.

According to Dawn, PIA will initially operate four weekly flights to London Heathrow, restoring one of its most in-demand international routes. The airline already flies three weekly services to Manchester, and the London relaunch completes its phased re-entry into the UK market.

PIA’s European operations were halted in 2020 after aviation authorities raised concerns over pilot licensing and safety oversight. The fallout was severe, forcing the airline out of lucrative Western markets and shrinking its global footprint. As Business Recorder reported, years of audits, corrective measures and regulatory engagement followed.

That effort paid off in stages. The European Union lifted its ban on PIA in late 2024, while the UK removed Pakistan from its air safety list in July 2025, clearing the runway for flights to resume. The Islamabad–Manchester route returned first in October, serving as a test case before London’s restart.

Slot recovery at Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest airports, was another hurdle. Gulf News noted that PIA had retained its historical slots through temporary arrangements, allowing the airline to move quickly once regulatory approvals came through.

The timing also aligns with structural changes at the airline. In December, a private consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation acquired a 75% stake in PIA, part of the government’s push to privatise the loss-making carrier. New management has pledged fleet expansion, network growth and a stronger focus on international routes.

For travellers, the London relaunch restores a direct link long relied upon by business passengers, students and the Pakistani diaspora. For PIA, it is more than a route restart, it is a credibility test on one of aviation’s toughest stages.

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