Will PIA Direct London Flights Restart in March 2026 After Ban?

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume PIA direct London flights starting in March 2026. This move follows the lifting of a five-year ban on Pakistani carriers by the United Kingdom earlier this year.

The national carrier confirmed it has secured four weekly PIA Heathrow Airport slots at London’s busy hub. These slots were temporarily used by Turkish Airlines during PIA’s suspension to keep them active. The airline formally informed Heathrow Airport of its intention to restart operations as UK flight restrictions easing continues.

Resumption Follows Safety Clearances

The original ban was imposed in June 2020 by the UK and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This action followed concerns about the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority’s ability to uphold international standards. The concerns arose after a tragic PIA crash in Karachi.

EASA lifted its ban in November 2024, allowing flights to Europe to resume. The UK’s Air Safety Committee lifted its own restrictions in July 2025. This decision was based on safety improvements made by Pakistani authorities.

Privatization Fuels Fleet Expansion Plans

The announcement of Pakistan International Airlines London flights comes shortly after a major step in the PIA privatization deal. A consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation Limited became the highest bidder for a 75% stake in the airline.

The Arif Habib Corporation consortium offered Rs 135 billion for the majority stake. This surpassed a rival group headed by Lucky Cement. Fauji Fertiliser Company Limited has also joined the winning consortium, adding financial and corporate expertise.

This landmark sale is a key condition of Pakistan’s ongoing IMF bailout program. It aims to reduce public-sector liabilities and attract private investment.

Operational Handover and Capacity Growth

The new ownership is expected to take operational control of the airline by April 2026. This is subject to final approvals from the Privatisation Commission board and the cabinet. The contract signing is expected within two weeks, followed by a 90-day period for financial and regulatory formalities.

The consortium has committed to a significant investment. They plan to inject Rs 125 billion in the first year to improve ground operations and overall services.

Crucially, the new management has laid out ambitious PIA fleet expansion plans. They aim to grow the operational fleet from its current size of approximately 18 aircraft. The target is to reach 38 aircraft in the first phase and up to 64 aircraft in the second phase. This signals a major upgrade in the airline’s capacity and service standards. The current fleet includes models like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A320.

This development marks a significant step in the Pakistan national carrier revival. It is a major milestone for the country’s reform program. The return to London is a highly symbolic and commercially important route for the airline. For more on this and other industry developments, visit our commercial aviation news section. [https://flying.flights]

• The UK lifted its five-year ban on Pakistani carriers in July 2025, paving the way for the resumption of services.
• PIA has secured four weekly flight slots at London Heathrow Airport for the planned March 2026 restart.
• A consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation won a 75% stake in PIA with a Rs 135 billion bid, with full operational control expected by April 2026.
• The new owners plan a massive fleet expansion, aiming to increase the operational fleet from 18 to 62-64 aircraft.