After Ban Lift, PIA Relaunches Direct Lahore-London Flights on March 30

January 9, 2026 at 01:31 AM•3 min read

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will resume direct Lahore-London flights on March 30, 2026, expanding UK service after EASA and UK regulatory bans were lifted.

Key Points

1PIA will resume direct Lahore-London flights (PK-757) on March 30, 2026, adding to the Islamabad-London service starting March 29.
2The airline plans to operate up to seven total UK flights weekly by the end of March, utilizing the Boeing 777 aircraft.
3The route resumption follows the lifting of the EASA ban in November 2024 and UK clearance for Pakistani airlines in 2025, ending a four-year suspension.
4The expanded international service is a key development following the December 2025 privatization of PIA by the Arif Habib Group consortium.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to restart its direct Lahore-London flights on March 30, 2026. This move marks a major expansion of the airline’s UK flight operations.

The decision follows the carrier’s gradual return to the United Kingdom. Officials cite strong passenger demand and full operational readiness for the expansion. The new direct Lahore-London service will operate to London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

New UK Flight Frequencies

PIA is significantly increasing its service to the UK. The airline will operate up to seven total UK flights by the end of March. This increase responds to high demand from Pakistani expatriates.

The new direct Lahore-London service will initially operate one weekly flight.
Islamabad-London flights are scheduled to begin one day earlier, on March 29.
The Islamabad route will initially feature three weekly flights.

All current UK-bound flights are reportedly operating at full capacity. PIA plans to gradually increase flight frequencies over time. The airline also intends to expand services to other UK destinations. PIA will use the Boeing 777 aircraft for its London operations from both Lahore and Islamabad.

Regulatory Clearance and Return to Europe

The resumption of Pakistan International Airlines’ UK operations follows a long regulatory suspension. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) first imposed a ban in mid-2020. This followed a fatal PIA crash and a scandal involving pilot licenses.

The EASA ban lifted on November 29, 2024, after more than four years. EASA cited "significant efforts" by the Pakistani regulator. This decision restored confidence in the Civil Aviation Authority’s oversight.

Subsequently, the UK cleared Pakistani airlines in 2025. The UK Department for Transport issued the necessary Third Country Operator (TCO) license. This paved the way for PIA’s return to its highly profitable routes. PIA resumed Manchester flights in the first phase of its return.

Context of Privatization

The expansion of UK flight operations occurs amid a major organizational change. A consortium led by the Arif Habib Group won the bid to acquire a 75% controlling stake in PIA. The winning bid was Rs135 billion (approximately $482 million).

This privatization, concluded in December 2025, is a key step for the debt-ridden airline. Resuming lucrative international routes, like the direct Lahore-London service, is critical for improving PIA’s financial value and operational stability under its new ownership. The new owners have committed to significant investment to revive the carrier.

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