KEY POINTS
- Four weekly slots at Heathrow Airport have been secured for the London route.
- A consortium won the auction for a 75% stake in PIA with a Rs135 billion bid.
- Fauji Fertilizer Company joins the consortium, contributing financial support and expertise.
- The consortium plans to invest Rs125 billion to improve operations and expand the airline’s fleet.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced its plans to resume flights to London from March 2026, following the lifting of a five‑year ban on Pakistani carriers by UK authorities earlier this year.
The national airline has secured four weekly flight slots at London’s Heathrow Airport, which were temporarily held by Turkish Airlines to maintain regulatory rights during PIA’s suspension.
With restrictions now eased, PIA has formally informed Heathrow of its plans to restart services.
This development follows the recent privatisation auction in which a consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation became the highest bidder for a 75% stake in PIA with a Rs135 billion offer, outbidding a rival group.
Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited has since joined the consortium, bringing financial backing and corporate expertise to the airline’s management.
The consortium has pledged to invest Rs125 billion in the first year to upgrade ground operations and overall services, and plans to expand PIA’s operational fleet significantly.
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Privatisation, Muhammad Ali, told Reuters that the government expects the new ownership to take operational control by April 2026, subject to the necessary approvals from the Privatisation Commission and the cabinet.
The resumption of London flights marks a major milestone in PIA’s international revival, expanding connectivity for travellers between Pakistan and Europe.
Currently, PIA operates three weekly flights from Islamabad to Manchester, which the national flag carrier resumed in October 2025 after a five‑year suspension.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency lifted its own ban on PIA in November 2024, allowing the airline to resume flights to Paris in January.
The flag carrier, which employs around 7,000 people, has long struggled with debt, mismanagement and regulatory issues.
