KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is going to resume direct flights between Lahore and London by March 30, 2026. According to the details, PIA said the airline will gradually increase its UK operations to seven weekly flights by the end of March.
The announcement comes after PIA recently resumed flights to Manchester and confirmed the launch of Islamabad-London services from March 29. The consecutive launch dates for Islamabad and Lahore routes have been strategically scheduled to meet high demand and align with the airline’s operational readiness.
“The flights are being increased keeping in view the high demand and long-standing requests of Pakistanis and expatriates residing in the UK,” the spokesperson said, adding that all flights to the United Kingdom are currently operating at full capacity.
According to the flight schedule, PIA will operate three weekly flights from Islamabad to London and one weekly flight from Lahore to London. The airline has finalized all arrangements for the Lahore-London route, which will provide direct connectivity for passengers in Punjab and surrounding regions.
The spokesperson revealed that PIA is planning to add more flights from other Pakistani destinations to various UK cities in the future. The airline previously operated more than 22 weekly frequencies to the United Kingdom before the suspension of its European operations and expects to exceed that number as it expands its network.
The resumption of UK flights follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s decision to lift the ban on PIA operations in European airspace, ending a restriction that had been in place since 2020. The move has been welcomed by the Pakistani diaspora in Britain, one of the largest expatriate communities in Europe.
PIA’s expanded UK operations are expected to boost passenger traffic, strengthen people-to-people connections, and provide more affordable travel options between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The airline has been working to rebuild its international operations and restore confidence among travellers following years of regulatory challenges.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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