PIA to Resume Direct London Flights After Six-Year Suspension

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has officially announced the resumption of its direct flight services to London starting March 29, 2026. This move marks the end of a six-year hiatus on the route, which was suspended in 2020 following a series of regulatory and safety challenges. According to the airline’s spokesperson, the national carrier will operate four weekly flights from Islamabad to London Heathrow’s Terminal 4. London was PIA’s first international destination and has historically remained one of its highest-demand sectors, particularly for the overseas Pakistani diaspora.

The resumption follows a successful regulatory turnaround for the airline. In 2020, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) banned PIA after a fatal crash in Karachi and subsequent concerns over pilot licensing. However, after rigorous technical audits, the UK removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List in July 2025. This allowed PIA to receive its Third Country Operator (TCO) approval and a Foreign Aircraft Operating Permit (FOP) by late 2025. While limited operations to Manchester resumed in October 2025, the return to London Heathrow represents a major milestone in the airline’s international recovery.

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This service restoration coincides with significant structural changes, as the government recently concluded a Rs135 billion deal to privatize a 75 percent stake in the airline. The new management has pledged to invest Rs125 billion in the first year to improve service quality and expand the operational fleet. For travelers, the return of direct flights offers a more convenient and competitive alternative to the multi-stop itineraries that have dominated the route for over half a decade.

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