Business Desk 
Sep 24, 2025
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to announce its flight schedule for the UK, pending approval of the required Third Country Operator (TCO) licence.
The approval process is nearing its conclusion, according to aviation sources. A PIA representative was upbeat, saying the airline hopes to obtain the licence quickly, opening the door for direct flights to the UK.
A PIA spokesperson stated that flight operations to the UK would commence next month, with the first direct flight scheduled to operate to Manchester as part of the initial phase, followed by Birmingham and London.
Once the UK Department for Transport issues a five-year security and cargo certificate to the national carrier, both passenger and cargo flights will start, a testament to renewed international trust in PIA.
Cargo flights from Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi have already been registered to operate, and their validity is until August 18, 2030. British authorities have the right to conduct surprise checks of PIA's operation and procedures under the new scheme, and the use of EDC machines for cargo from Islamabad and Lahore is no longer a requirement.
Simultaneously, the UK Department for Transport has granted the private airline Airblue its TCO licence. With this approval, Airblue intends to use Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft to operate direct flights from Pakistan to the UK, stopping in Türkiye for refuelling.
Despite the growing demand for direct flights to the UK, industry insiders point out that PIA's limited fleet capacity has limited its international expansion.
The upcoming approval of PIA is anticipated to increase competition in the market as Airblue gets ready to launch its flights to the UK.
In addition to giving passengers more travel options, the national flag carrier's return to the UK market may boost economic growth by improving connectivity.
