ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) marked a significant milestone on Sunday as its first direct flight to London in six years departed from Islamabad International Airport, signaling a renewed chapter in Pakistan’s aviation ties with the United Kingdom.
Flight PK-785 took off at 1:19pm, slightly later than its scheduled departure time of 12:50pm, following a formal inauguration ceremony attended by key dignitaries.
Among those present were Defence Secretary Lt Gen (retd) Muhammad Ali, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, and PIA Consortium Chairman Arif Habib, who jointly inaugurated the service with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
A special inauguration ceremony at Islamabad International Airport marked the resumption of Pakistan International Airlines flights to London, with Secretary Defence Lt Gen (retired) Muhammad Ali, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, and Chairman PIA Consortium Arif Habib… pic.twitter.com/eZmmGR3FZs
— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) March 29, 2026
The resumption of direct flights to London’s Heathrow Airport comes after a prolonged suspension, restoring a crucial air link for passengers traveling between Pakistan and the UK.
According to PIA officials, the airline plans to operate four weekly flights on the Islamabad–London route, all arriving at and departing from Heathrow’s Terminal 4.
The development follows an announcement made earlier this week by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who confirmed that direct operations from Islamabad and Lahore to Heathrow would begin on March 29 and 30, respectively.
PIA’s return to London is part of a broader restoration of its UK operations. The airline had received regulatory clearance in September last year to resume flights after nearly five years.
In the initial phase, services to Manchester were reinstated, with plans to gradually expand to other major UK cities including Birmingham and London.
The revival of direct flights is expected to benefit both business and leisure travelers, as well as the large Pakistani diaspora in the UK, by providing more convenient and time-efficient travel options. It also reflects improving confidence in Pakistan’s aviation standards and regulatory compliance.
With London now back on its route map, PIA aims to strengthen its international footprint and rebuild its presence in one of its most important overseas markets.
