ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced on Tuesday that it will resume direct flights between Islamabad and London starting March 29, 2026, marking the return of the national carrier to the British capital after a six-year hiatus.
The airline will operate four weekly flights from Islamabad to Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4.
According to a PIA spokesperson, London holds special significance for the airline as its “first-ever” international destination and remains one of its most strategically important routes. The spokesperson added that the airline currently operates three weekly flights to Manchester and will gradually expand UK operations alongside the London route.
PIA’s return to London comes after a series of regulatory hurdles. In June 2020, the European Union Air Safety Agency barred the airline from operating in EU countries over safety concerns, following the crash of a Lahore-Karachi flight near Jinnah International Airport that claimed nearly 100 lives.
The ban was lifted more than four years later, on November 28, 2024. In July 2025, the United Kingdom removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List, clearing the way for Pakistani airlines to resume flights to the UK.
Earlier this year, in September 2025, PIA received approval to restart direct flights to the United Kingdom, beginning with Manchester. The airline had also outlined plans to extend services to Birmingham and London. The March 2026 resumption marks the next phase of reconnecting Pakistan with its key international markets in the UK.
The national flag carrier emphasized that the resumption of flights underscores its commitment to rebuilding confidence in its international operations and strengthening connectivity between Pakistan and Europe.
Passengers can now anticipate regular flights linking Islamabad to London for business, tourism, and family travel, reflecting a milestone in the airline’s post-ban recovery.
