PIA to increase London flights from four to seven weekly from Oct 27

Five flights to operate from Islamabad

Islamabad will have the largest share of PIA’s expanded London service, with five flights scheduled every week.

The increased frequency is expected to give passengers travelling from the federal capital and nearby areas greater flexibility. The additional flights could also help meet demand from people visiting family members, travelling for work or making other trips to the UK.

Two London flights to serve Lahore

PIA will operate two weekly London flights from Lahore under the revised schedule. The move will give passengers in Punjab more direct travel options and reduce the need for some travellers to connect through other airports.

Lahore is one of Pakistan’s major international travel hubs, with many passengers travelling to the UK each year. The additional service is therefore expected to support demand on the Lahore-London route.

Passenger demand drives expansion

PIA says stronger passenger demand is behind the decision to increase its London flights. The airline also says growing confidence among travellers has contributed to the expansion.

Increasing the number of flights will allow PIA to respond to demand while giving passengers more choices when planning their journeys. The move also highlights the airline’s efforts to strengthen its international network after restoring services to key destinations.

PIA’s long road back to UK routes

PIA’s return to the UK follows a lengthy suspension of its services. The airline was barred from operating in several international markets after the 2020 crash of a PIA aircraft in Karachi, which killed nearly 100 people.

The incident was followed by serious concerns over aviation safety standards and the validity of pilots’ licences. These concerns resulted in restrictions on PIA operations in Europe and the UK.

European restrictions were later lifted

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) later lifted its restrictions on PIA operations in the European Union in November 2024. The development marked an important step in the airline’s efforts to restore its international network.

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EASA maintains the EU Air Safety List, which can restrict airlines from operating in the European Union because of safety concerns. The UK operates its own aviation safety and approval framework following its departure from the European Union.

PIA returns to UK market

Britain later removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List in July 2025, paving the way for Pakistani airlines to seek permission to resume services to the country. PIA secured approval to restart direct UK services in September 2025.

Manchester became the airline’s first UK destination after the long suspension. The return marked a major development for Pakistani travellers who had previously relied on connecting flights to reach Britain.

London service resumes

PIA subsequently resumed direct flights to London in March this year. The restoration of the London route gave passengers another direct option for travelling between Pakistan and Britain.

London is an important destination for the Pakistani community in the UK, as well as for business and other travellers. The increase to seven weekly flights now represents another expansion of the airline’s UK operations.