Pareesa Afreen 
Dec 30, 2025
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announces on Tuesday to resume flights from Islamabad to London from March 29, 2026, ending a six-year break. The airline will operate four weekly flights via Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4, offering passengers in Pakistan easier access to the UK.
To date, PIA operates three flights a week to Manchester, a development boosting options for both business and leisure travel. According to officials, the London flights follow approval for four weekly Heathrow slots.
The slots were temporarily allocated to Turkish Airlines to keep them active while PIA’s UK operations were suspended. As restrictions ease, PIA has written to Heathrow Airport formally informing it of its decision to restart flights.
The announcement follows on the heels of PIA's successful privatisation, wherein a 75% stake was sold to a consortium spearheaded by Arif Habib Corporation, a Pakistan-based aviation and investment group.
The consortium bought the airline for Rs135 billion and is committed to increasing the fleet of PIA gradually to 64 aircraft with enhanced international operations. Fauji Fertiliser Company Limited, Pakistan, joined the consortium to provide financial input and management expertise, as well as a role in corporate decision-making.
The spokesperson of PIA said that the move is designed to improve passenger convenience and support Pakistan's international connectivity, adding that it hopes the new London flights will see a major boost in travel, trade, and tourism links between Pakistan and the UK.
