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Tuesday, December 30, 2025  
09 Rajab 1447  

PIA to resume London operations from March 29 after 6-year hiatus

National carrier announces four weekly Islamabad–Heathrow flights
File photo
File photo

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced that it will resume flights to London from March 29, 2026, marking the return of the route after a six-year suspension.

According to the airline, four weekly flights will operate from Islamabad to London Heathrow Airport, using the airport’s Terminal 4.

London was PIA’s first international destination and remains one of its most important and high-demand routes.

PIA is already operating three weekly flights to Manchester, making the resumption of the London service a significant expansion of its UK operations.

Sources said the airline has secured approval for four weekly slots at Heathrow.

These slots had been temporarily allocated to another foreign airline to prevent their permanent withdrawal during the suspension period.

Following regulatory relaxations, PIA has formally informed Heathrow authorities of its plan to restart operations on the London route from March 2026.

The London route has historically been popular among Pakistani expatriates and business travellers.

Aviation experts say the resumption of flights to Heathrow is expected to strengthen PIA’s commercial prospects and improve its international standing.

The move is also likely to provide passengers with better onward connectivity to destinations across Europe and North America.

PIA has not yet announced the detailed flight schedule or aircraft type for the route, though wide-body aircraft are expected to be deployed.

The announcement comes after the recent privatisation of the national carrier.

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PIA

PIA privatisation

PIA's Islamabad Heathrow flights

PIA flights for UK

PIA to resume London operations from March 29