The flight was warmly received at Heathrow by Pakistan’s High Commissioner, Dr.Faisal, along with airport officials. The airport was decorated with the flags of Pakistan and the United Kingdom, and a simple ceremony was held to celebrate the occasion. A Pakistan-themed cake was also cut.

Speaking at the event, Dr.Faisal called the return of PIA flights a significant milestone. He said the flight represents the strong presence and voice of Pakistanis living in the United Kingdom.

A Heathrow Airport spokesperson also welcomed PIA’s return, saying the airline has a relationship with the airport that goes back around 70 years. The spokesperson added, “We warmly welcome PIA. Today, our old friend has returned.”

Earlier, the flight was officially inaugurated by Defence Secretary Lt Gen (retd) Muhammad Ali, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, and Chairman PIA Consortium Arif Habib. They jointly cut the ribbon to mark the restart of operations.

Jane Marriott described the resumption of flights as a positive step. She said flights from Karachi should also restart soon, noting that a large number of Pakistanis live in the UK. She added that this move reflects improving relations between the two countries.

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The Defence Secretary said the day marks an important development for Pakistan’s aviation sector. He highlighted that PIA and London share a long history, which was interrupted for six years but has now been restored.

He added that strong trade relations between Pakistan and the UK will further benefit from the resumption of flights. He also praised the efforts of PIA and Civil Aviation Authority officials in making this possible.

The Defence Secretary also appreciated the role of the British High Commissioner, saying her efforts helped restart the London route. PIA is expected to operate four weekly flights from Islamabad to London, using Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4, making travel easier for passengers.