PIA Resumes London Flights After Six-Year Suspension

By Bilal Haider :

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed direct flights to London after a six-year suspension, restoring one of the carrier’s longest-running international routes.

The first flight, PK-785, departed from Islamabad to London on Sunday carrying 325 passengers, marking the return of the national airline to the United Kingdom.

A brief ceremony was held at Islamabad International Airport before departure, attended by Defence Secretary Lt Gen (retd) Muhammad Ali, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, PIA Consortium Chairman Arif Habib and senior aviation officials.

Ceremony marks return of key route

To mark the occasion, officials cut a cake and held a raffle draw in which one passenger won a 660cc car. Other travellers also received commemorative gifts.

Speaking at the event, the defence secretary said the resumption of flights would help strengthen links between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, particularly for the large Pakistani diaspora living there.

The British high commissioner congratulated PIA on restoring the service, describing it as an important step in reconnecting communities between the two countries.

Flights to expand from Lahore

PIA said the renewed service aims to provide direct travel options for more than 1.6 million Pakistanis living in the UK.

Initially, the airline will operate four weekly flights between Pakistan and London — three from Islamabad and one from Lahore.

Weekly flights from Lahore to London are scheduled to begin on 30 March.

Historic route for the airline

London was the first international destination served by PIA and the airline has operated the route for more than seven decades.

The suspension of flights to the UK had disrupted a key travel link for Pakistani expatriates, and the airline says the restoration of the service marks an important milestone in rebuilding its international network.

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