PIA Resumes Direct London Flights After Six-Year Suspension

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed direct flights from Pakistan to London Heathrow, the first in six years.

The Islamabad–London service launched on 29 March 2026, with Lahore–London following on 30 March.

Flight Schedule and Routes

PIA is running four weekly London flights on Boeing 777 aircraft, all landing at Heathrow Terminal 4. Here’s the breakdown:

• Islamabad to London (PK785): Three flights per week
• Lahore to London (PK757): One flight per week (Mondays)

PIA also operates three weekly flights from Islamabad to Manchester, which resumed in October 2025. That brings the total to seven direct UK flights per week.

How to Book and What to Expect

Tickets are available to book now through PIA’s website and Wego.

Roundtrip fares from the UK to Pakistan start from around GBP 500 + taxes (around PKR 190,000), though exact pricing varies by travel date and booking class. PIA’s Boeing 777s offer economy and Executive Economy (business class) cabins.

Why Were PIA Flights Suspended?

PIA was banned from European and UK airspace in 2020 after a fatal crash in Karachi and a subsequent investigation that revealed widespread issues with pilot licensing in Pakistan. Both EASA and the UK placed PIA on their restricted lists.

It took years of reform to earn back access. EASA lifted its ban in November 2024, and the UK followed in July 2025 after a full safety audit by the Department for Transport.

PIA resumed European flights to Paris in early 2025 and Manchester in October 2025 before adding London this month.

What’s Next for PIA

PIA is undergoing privatisation under an Arif Habib-led consortium that acquired a 75% stake in December 2025.

The new owners plan to expand PIA’s fleet significantly and increase frequencies on popular routes.

For travellers, this could mean more London flights and potentially new UK destinations as the airline grows.

You can track PIA’s latest routes and schedule on the Wego PIA flight tracker.

Sources

1. Khawaja Muhammad Asif (Aviation Minister) — Official Announcement on X
2. Flight Global — EASA Lifts Ban on PIA After Safety Improvements
3. Al Jazeera — UK Lifts Restrictions on Pakistan Airlines After Five-Year Ban
4. CNN — Pakistan Pilot Licensing Investigation
5. Express Tribune — Arif Habib Consortium Wins PIA Privatisation Bid
6. Express Tribune — PIA Under Private Control From April 2026
7. Pakistan International Airlines — UK Fare Rules