PIA Secures London Heathrow Slots, Ending Six-Year UK Flight Ban

December 30, 2025 at 08:50 AM•3 min read

PIA will resume four weekly Islamabad-London Heathrow flights from March 29, 2026, ending a six-year ban, following its privatization and UK safety approval.

Key Points

1PIA will resume four weekly flights from Islamabad to London Heathrow (LHR) Terminal 4 starting March 29, 2026, ending a six-year service suspension.
2The resumption follows the UK's removal of Pakistan from its Air Safety List in July 2025 and formal UK Department for Transport approval in September 2025.
3The London route restart is a direct result of PIA's privatization, where an Arif Habib Corporation-led consortium acquired a 75% stake for Rs135 billion.
4The new owners plan to significantly expand the airline's fleet to 64 aircraft in phases, aiming to restore PIA's international footprint and competitiveness.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced the resumption of its direct flights to London. The national flag carrier will restart the route on March 29, 2026, after a PIA six-year hiatus. This move significantly expands the Pakistan International Airlines UK network. The airline will operate four weekly flights from Islamabad to London Heathrow Airport.

PIA’s London service will use London Heathrow Terminal 4. This adds to the three weekly flights already operating to Manchester. The London route is historically important for PIA. It was the airline’s first international destination.

Regulatory and Slot Security

The suspension began in July 2020. This followed a scandal over dubious pilot licenses in Pakistan. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) initially barred the airline. The UK flight ban lifted after the UK removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List in July 2025. Formal approval for PIA to operate as a Third Country Operator followed in September 2025.

Protecting Heathrow Slots

To ensure the valuable Heathrow flight slots were not lost, PIA used a “babysitting” arrangement. The four weekly slots were temporarily allocated to Turkish Airlines. This strategic move prevented the forfeiture of the slots. The airline has now formally notified Heathrow Airport of its return.

Privatization and Fleet Expansion

This major route PIA London flights resume amid a significant corporate change. The announcement follows the successful PIA privatization Arif Habib Corporation. A consortium led by the Arif Habib Corporation secured a 75% stake. The winning bid was Rs135 billion.

The consortium plans a massive PIA fleet expansion.
The fleet is set to grow to 64 aircraft in phases.
This expansion aims to boost capacity and service standards.

Fauji Fertiliser Company Limited has also joined the Arif Habib Corporation consortium. This partnership adds financial support and corporate expertise. New management is expected to take over operations by April 2026. This transition is subject to final regulatory approvals.

Industry Impact

The return to London is a key milestone for PIA’s revival. It signals renewed confidence in Pakistan aviation safety standards. The direct connection offers greater ease for passengers. This is especially true for the large Pakistani expatriate community. The restored route is expected to strengthen PIA’s commercial prospects. It will also improve its international standing. For the latest commercial aviation news and updates, visit flying.flights. The new ownership and fleet expansion plan are critical. They are essential for transforming the airline into a competitive global player. The consortium plans to reinvest a large portion of the purchase price. This capital will fund operational upgrades and debt restructuring. The goal is a long-term, sustainable turnaround for the airline.