PIA’s journey back to international skies has entered another important phase as number of weekly flights to London has increased to seven, while direct air operations to Birmingham are also being restored from December 1.
PIA has crossed another milestone, for the first time Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft will be used for air operations.
The consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation took charge of the national airline on June 29, 2026, and since then, a series of revolutionary measures have been underway. From six-year restrictions to daily flights, the national airline has navigated this journey very well.
Under the new schedule, five flights will depart from Islamabad and two from Lahore to London, making air connectivity between Pakistan and the UK now available on a daily basis, providing passengers with more convenience and choice in travel planning.
The national airline is also going to start direct flights to Birmingham from December 1st, which will facilitate Pakistanis living in the UK to travel to their homeland.
This increase in flights is not just the announcement of a new schedule, but is the result of revolutionary initiatives by a consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation.
The Arif Habib Consortium took over the national airline on June 29, 2026, and since then, the journey of development has continued, and PIA is regaining its lost identity internationally.
On May 22, 2020, PIA flight PK 8303 crashed in Karachi, killing ninety-seven people. After this tragic accident, serious questions were raised about Pakistan’s aviation system and safety arrangements.
The situation became more complicated when the then aviation minister raised doubts in parliament about the licenses of Pakistani pilots, revelations that further heightened concerns among international aviation bodies.
In June 2020, the European Union’s Aviation Safety Agency suspended PIA’s flight permits to Europe, while British authorities also imposed restrictions on Pakistani airlines. The background to these measures included concerns about the verification of pilots’ licenses, civil aviation oversight systems, and air safety standards.
The result was that the national airline’s key air markets in the UK and Europe remained closed for a long time, passengers had to resort to alternative airlines and other air routes, while PIA also faced difficulties with its international network and revenues.
To lift the sanctions, Pakistan had to work on reforms in the aviation safety system, improving the pilot licensing procedure, and strengthening oversight standards. In November 2024, the European Union lifted the ban on PIA.
In July 2025, the UK removed Pakistan from its air safety list, paving the way for Pakistani airlines to operate to the UK. Following this development, PIA resumed direct flights to London in March 2026.
On March 29, a flight departed from Islamabad to Heathrow, while the next day a direct air connection was also established from Lahore, thus making it possible for the national airline to return to London after years of hiatus, and now the increase in the number of flights is an attempt to further this journey of recovery.
The administration is also making every effort to restore the reputation of the national airline.
For PIA, increasing flights to London and resuming operations to Birmingham is not just an expansion of air connections, but also an attempt to consolidate its position in the global market.
Source: Dunya News
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